Everton 0-1 Manchester United: Sesko 71
Manchester United have Benjamin Sesko saving them now, and while there will be a lot more asked of him in the future, and the Slovenian will no doubt be demanding more, more starts for example, the United support will be thrilled that their £73m summer investment is producing some handsome dividends.
Sesko has not started any of Michael Carrick’s six games in charge so far, but he has come off the bench to score two winners and snatch a late equaliser to maintain the interim coach’s unbeaten run, and keep United pushing for a top five finish.
Here against Everton he came on in the 58th minute and waited just 13 minutes to get his goal, after United hit Everton on the break. Matheus Cunha found Bryan Mbeumo with a long searching ball across the pitch, who beat Michael Keane and then slipped the ball to Sesko. The Slovenian, with what is quickly becoming his MO, arrived to hit first time and precisely into the bottom right corner, leaving Jordan Pickford raging at the clouds.
Relief for United. Another win, but it could have gone in any direction after a game that, in terms of performance, may well find a spot on the list of their poorest all season.
New away end, same incredible support 🔊
Quality as ever, Reds 👏❤️#ShotOnSnapdragon 🤳 pic.twitter.com/Q36nQG1E9J
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 23, 2026
Both teams, not textbook rivals but certainly possessing a certain feud that stretches back decades, brought sinew to a frantic opening that saw Amad Diallo’s shot beat Pickford, but there was James Tarkoswki, who cleared off the line to keep things level.
Then the attack staled and too little was happening. Senne Lammens was alert to save James Garner’s freekick and Pickford handled Diogo Dalot’s effort but that was all in the first half.
Then Everton, sensing weakness, applied pressure in the second half. United were solid and helped all the more by Lammens, proving himself once again to have been a shrewd summer buy after the horrors of the Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir eras.
But the home side overcommitted in their desire to hurt United. Then there was that counterattack. And there was Sesko applying the lovely touch to bring the decider.
