Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
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Kick off for the game is at 5.30pm.
We’re underway…
Holgate heads Rooney’s corner over.
It’s been a positive start by Everton.
Huge applause and cheers from Manchester United's fans as Wayne Rooney goes to take a corner - followed by some good-humoured Scouse baiting taken in the spirit it was intended by the Everton supporters.
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) January 1, 2018
United haven’t really started like a side with something to prove.
They’ve barely threatened their opponents at all so far.
Pogba does well to find space and cross.
However, no United player can get on the end of it ultimately.
Rooney has looked impressive in the midfield role so far.
He’s been dictating play more so than any of the United midfielders.
Everton, though, for all their possession, have yet to create a clear-cut chance.
Martial makes a good run through on goal.
However, he can’t control the pass and the ball goes harmlessly into the arms of Pickford.
Niasse drives through on goal and forces Rojo to make an excellent last-ditch challenge.
Everton have been the better side so far.
Jones blazes an attempt well over from distance.
United have offered very little in attack so far.
Everton look very well-organised without the ball.
It looks set to be a difficult afternoon for United, who will have their work out in attempting to break their opponents down.
As I type, Martial finds space out wide, but Pickford palms the attacker’s low cross away to safety.
It’s been a scrappy last few minutes short of goalmouth action.
As I type though, Rooney loses the ball on the edge of the box, with Herrera subsequently whizzing a shot just over.
Decent effort from Pogba.
His curling shot takes a slight deflection off Davies and goes just wide.
Lingard carries the ball forward with menace.
However, the 25-year-old midfielder drags his subsequent attempt wide.
Martial turns Keane and sprints forward.
Rooney then cynically chops down his former team-mate and gets booked as a result.
HALF-TIME: EVERTON 0-0 MAN UNITED
Rooney should still be playing in this UTD team every week. Would still be there best player.
— Ger O'Brien (@gerramia) January 1, 2018
The second half has begun…
Mata produces a powerful drive from the edge of the area that Pickford is forced to tip over.
Better from United.
Plenty of people on Twitter were less than impressed with the quality of the first half, while the second hasn’t been much better so far.
HT: #EFC 0 #MUFC 0. Shouldn't expect great quality when teams are playing for 4th time in ten days, but then again does anyone ever expect great quality from United these days? So little adventure and spark again.
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) January 1, 2018
Mata goes close again.
The Spaniard’s shot from distance comes back off the post before Everton manage to clear their lines.
Shaw produces a dangerous cross.
Cuco Martina does well to get to it just ahead of Herrera and clear.
Pogba links up well with Lingard, before the former fires the ball just wide.
United are looking increasingly threatening now.
EVERTON 0-1 MAN UNITED (MARTIAL 57)
United are ahead and it comes after Rooney gives the ball away in midfield.
Pogba subsequently plays it to Martial, who curls the ball beautifully into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.
United have looked a different team in this second half.
They’ve been much sharper and have started to control the play in midfield.
Everton make a double change in response to the goal.
McCarthy and Lennon are on in place of Rooney and Bolasie.
As I type, Pogba beats his man and forces Pickford to parry a powerful shot over the bar.
Martial’s cross narrowly eludes Pogba.
United are thoroughly dominant now, they just need to be more clinical with their attacks.
Breaking down an Allardyce side must be one of the most tedious tasks in football.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) January 1, 2018
Close for Everton!
McCarthy wins the ball off Pogba, before Niasse heads Lennon’s cross just wide.
Everton have all the attacking momentum now.
Vlašić and Lennon are both seeing plenty of the ball in the wide positions.
The introduction of James McCarthy really seems to have galvanised Everton.
He’s made a couple of excellent tackles and helped the Toffees regain the midfield battle.
Meanwhile, United are now making a change, with Rashford coming on for Martial.
Great save from Pickford.
He does well to parry Lingard’s powerful first-time shot on the edge of the area away for a corner.
EVERTON 0-2 MAN UNITED (LINGARD 81)
That’s that surely!
Lingard cuts inside and produces a brilliant strike from the edge of the area that finds the corner of the net.
Meanwhile, Everton make a final change — Niasse is replaced by Calvert-Lewin.
Lingard, who has had a big impact on this game, is replaced by Blind.
Both teams now are essentially waiting for the final whistle.
Keane heads a corner just wide.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: EVERTON 0-2 MAN UNITED
Right, that’s all from me. You can read our report of the game here.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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