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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Everton v Man United, Premier League

Can Mourinho’s men earn their first Premier League win in a month, this afternoon?

Well, how do you follow that?

Bournemouth coming from two goals down to beat Liverpool 4-3 is unlikely to be beaten for entertainment, but we have an intriguing-looking second fixture of the day as Manchester United travel to the blue side of Merseyside.

The team news is in!

For Everton, there are three changes from last week’s loss at Southampton.

Funes Mori, Mirallas, Cleverley are in for Jagielka, Lennon and Barkley.

Coleman starts at right-back with McCarthy on the bench.

Everton

For the visitors, there are also three changes from their last league outing, with Mkhitaryan starting his first league game since September. Carrick and Martial also come in.

Lingard, Rashford and Mata drop to the bench and will be joined by the fit-again Bailly.

Rooney misses out through suspension.

United team

Everton have won three of their last four Premier League home games against United, although they have won more times at Goodison Park (15) than any other away Premier League ground. The visitors also won all three meetings last season – including an FA Cup semi-final.

But United’s total of 20 points from 13 matches, is the team’s lowest in the Premier League era, with only two league wins in the last 10.

The Toffees will leapfrog their opponents in the table with a win.

Remember, we always want to hear from you!

You can get in touch via Facebook, Twitter or in the comments section. Or you can hit me up directly at shanec@the42.ie.

Almost time for kick-off. What are your predictions?

A moments silence now being observed for the victims of the Colombia plane crash, which included members of the Brazilian team Chapecoense.

Everton v Manchester United - Premier League - Goodison Park Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

Game on! United get the game under way.

Brilliant covering defending by Carrick from a Bolasie cross with Lukaku lurking dangerously in the box.

Everton dominating the ball in the early stages.

WIDE! First decent spell of possession from the visitors, with United working the ball up the pitch, but it finishes with a wayward attempt from Pogba on the edge of the box.

OFFSIDE! Mkhitaryan picks out Martial with an inviting first-time pass, but the 20-year-old is rightly adjudged to be in an offside position.

Back in the dugout today.

Everton v Manchester United - Premier League - Goodison Park Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

A late tackle by Barry on Ibrahimovic only warrants a stern talking-to, according to referee Michael Oliver.

Strong defending by both Gueye and Ireland captain Coleman, who block Martial’s darting run in the box.

15 minutes gone. We’re only getting warmed up here.

YELLOW CARD! 

Rojo is an incredibly lucky boy! He launches in two-footed on Gueye and replays show that challenge is a red card all day long.

Will Jose mention that at full-time?

Does Barry have some Christmas shopping to do?

He somehow avoids getting a yellow card again, as the midfielder deliberately sticks out his hand to block an Ibrahimovic pass.

25 minutes in, and neither goalkeeper has been forced into a save.

The game is simmering just nicely at the moment though.

Really good forward play by Lukaku, who plays in Bolasie on the right wing, he fires a ball across the goal, but there is just too much on it for Mirallas to get on the end of it.

Funes Mori downs Mkhitaryan on the edge of the box, and United have a free-kick in a goalscoring position.

But Zlatan’s tame effort hits the wall. Poor.

YELLOW CARD! He got his wish. Barry is booked for hauling back Mkhitaryan.

Here is a photo of that Rojo challenge.

Should have been red, right?

Rojo

Funes Mori may be targeted by United in the second-half. A weak link in the Everton side, I feel.

Everton v Manchester United - Premier League - Goodison Park Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

Just as I say that, an inch-perfect challenge by Funes Mori prevents Mkhitaryan getting on the end of Pogba’s through ball. The Armenian would have been straight through on goal, but for the Argentina international’s interception.

Neat play too by Zlatan in the build-up.

GOAL! Everton 0-1 Man United (Ibrahimovic 42′)

Zlatan breaks the deadlock thanks to a combination of exquisite finishing and mindless goalkeeping.

Martial’s pass reaches the former Sweden international, but inexplicably Stekelenburg comes running out from his goal, and Ibrahimovic lobs the on-rushing goalkeeping with the ball then going in after bouncing off the crossbar then the post.

HT: Everton 0-1 Man United 

Boos ring around Goodison Park as Everton go into the break a goal down.

Second-half has started!

Now Ibrahimovic is lucky not to be punished by referee Oliver.

He pulls Coleman down and falls on the Everton defender, but it looks as though he made sure his boot made contact with the Donegal man’s face as he went down.

CHANCE! Fine save by de Gea from a close-range Mirallas shot, with the resulting corner cleared.

OFF THE BAR! Herrera’s attempt rattles the crossbar after super interplay between Mkhitaryan and Carrick, with the latter’s cross reaching the Spain international after Coleman’s header only half-clears the danger.

But the woodwork saves Everton.

Pogba puts the ball out after Bolasie goes down holding his knee following a tackle from Martial, more a collision of their knees rather than any sinister by the United man.

SUB: First change of the game as Cleverley is replaced by Deulofeu, to the delight of the home crowd.

SUB: Holgate is on for Coleman.

The Ireland man has been struggling since Ibrahimovic’s boot met his face.

But we’re not quite clear why he was forced off.

SUB: Final change for Everton with Valencia coming on for the injured Bolasie.

Everton have gone 4-4-2 with the West Ham loanee joining Lukaku up top. Mirallas and Deulofeu are now the wingers.

All quite scrappy at the moment. But Everton are controlling the ball and United happy to soak up the pressure.

SAVE! A swerving attempt by Gueye from 25 yards out is palmed away by de Gea.

SAVE! More pressure from the home side as de Gea tips away a Holegate header.

We’ll find out what the problem is with Coleman after the game, I’m sure.

Everton v Manchester United - Premier League - Goodison Park Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Here is that incident with Zlatan;

Everton v Manchester United - Premier League - Goodison Park Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

CHANCE! What a chance for Everton’s Valencia. His header from no more than six yards out is straight at the United goalkeeper.

Good work by Deulofeu and Holgate in the build-up.

SUB! First change from Mourinho as Rashford takes the place of Martial.

SUB! Former Everton old boy Fellaini is on for Mkhitaryan.

His 100th United appearance.

Penalty Everton! 

Fellaini trips Gueye in the box.

Yellow card too for the sub!

YELLOW CARD! de Gea also booked for delaying the penalty!

GOAL! Everton 1-1 Man United (Baines 89′)

Low and hard from Baines, de Gea goes to the right way but there is too much power in the kick with the ball nestling in his right corner.

Five added minutes!

Everton going for the winner. United on the ropes.

De Gea pushes away another Baines attempt.

Three points has turned to one and it could be none if they are not careful!

One minute left.

One last chance for either team?

FT: Everton 1-1 Man United 

United have thrown away a chance to take all three points, more costly dropped points for Mourinho’s men.

Thanks for joining us this evening.

We’ll have all the reaction throughout the night.

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