Royal Blue Mersey - Everton at Manchester United: Toffees fall 2-1 at Old TraffordIt's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2014-10-06T16:08:20+01:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/66825782014-10-06T16:08:20+01:002014-10-06T16:08:20+01:00Man Utd 2-1 Everton
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<figcaption>Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>There would be no Bryan Oviedo-esque heroics at Old Trafford this time around with Radamel Falcao condemning the Toffees to defeat.</p> <p>Everton stumble into the international break fourth from bottom in the Premier League with just one victory from their opening seven games following defeat against Man Utd at Old Trafford.</p>
<p>Taken in isolation the latest loss is not one to be too worried about. Everton recovered from a below-par first half display to work their way back into the game and but for the heroics of David De Gea would have taken home at least a point at a ground that is still tough to go to, despite United's recent difficulties.</p>
<p>However, Sunday's display contained the same individual errors we have seen since August, as well as the obligatory injury to add to an ever-increasing casualty list, meaning improvement is needed if the season is not to continue on its downward spiral.</p>
<p>To that end the break has come at the ideal time, allowing the medical team to work their magic at Finch Farm and giving <span>Roberto Martinez</span> the chance to work on what has gone wrong during the first few weeks of the campaign.</p>
<p>Back to Old Trafford and after a dominant opening period United opening the scoring on 27 minutes, <span>Juan Mata</span> teeing up the impressive Angel di Maria to curl beyond <span>Tim Howard</span> after Everton had failed to clear a right wing cross.</p>
<p>Di Maria could have doubled the advantage a few minutes later, but Howard did well to tip his deflected free kick away from danger.</p>
<p>Everton offered precious little in the first half but had a glorious opportunity to level the scores just before the break when <span>Luke Shaw</span> cleaned out <span>Tony Hibbert</span> in the area for a spot kick.</p>
<p>As sure as day follows night, <span>Leighton Baines</span> scores penalties, well until today anyway, with De Gea's one handed stop giving us all the feeling it was going to be one of those days.</p>
<p>Despite that obvious disappointment the Toffees regrouped and were far more impressive in the second half, levelling the scores on 55 minutes.</p>
<p>Baines swung in a dangerous cross from the left and <span>Steven Naismith</span> stooped to power an unstoppable header past De Gea.</p>
<p>Buoyed by that goal Everton began to exert sustained pressure on the United backline, with <span>Phil Jagielka</span> coming close to giving the Toffees the lead only for Falcao to volley his header off the line.</p>
<p>It was hugely frustrating then to see United re-take the lead minutes later.</p>
<p>With Steven Pienaar down injured referee Kevin Friend chose not to stop play, but even then goalkeeper Howard had the chance to hit the ball out for a throw, instead choosing to try and hit a long pass. The ball went straight to a United player, with the move resulting in Falcao deflecting di Maria's scuffed shot into the net.</p>
<p>Replays also showed that <span>John Stones</span> had failed to step out, playing Falcao onside, adding to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton's</a> frustration. Pienaar also eventually limped off to be replaced by <span>Bryan Oviedo</span>, the match winner in the same fixture last December.</p>
<p>As the game entered its closing stage Everton, like at Anfield last week, began to look a bit more threatening, only to come up against a goalkeeper in inspired form.</p>
<p>First, the Spaniard was a full stretch to palm away a stinging drive from substitute Osman for a corner. Then, after Gareth Barry's goalbound shot was well blocked, De Gea did remarkably well stretch and tip away Oviedo's volley that had fizzed through a crowd of players.</p>
<p>It was a save worthy of winning a game and was further evidence that it was just not going to be Everton's day.</p>
<p>To make matters worse John Stones - by far and away Everton's best player so far this season - was stretched off with an ankle ligament injury sustained in the build-up to Oviedo's shot.</p>
<p>The final act was a header sent well over the bar by the disappointing <span>Romelu Lukaku</span>, who looked short of both match fitness and confidence, as if weighed down by his £28million price tag.</p>
<p>He and his teammates now have two weeks to stew on this result before taking to the field again at home to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/">Aston Villa</a>, a game that even at this ridiculously early stage of the season is close to being billed as must-win encounter.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/10/6/6918257/man-utd-2-1-everton-premier-league-match-reportTom Mallows2014-10-05T15:00:28+01:002014-10-05T15:00:28+01:00John Stones injures ankle ligaments
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<figcaption>Michael Regan</figcaption>
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<p>More bad news for Everton on the injury front as their young defender injured his ankle against Manchester United.</p> <p><span>John Stones</span> sustained an ankle injury at the end of the loss to <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester United</a> on Sunday. <span>Roberto Martinez</span> confirmed the injury during his post-match interview, saying that there was damage to the defender's ankle ligaments, but that it will take a day or two for the extent to be known.</p>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Martinez confirms Stones has injured his ankle ligaments and will be assessed over the next 48 hours.</p>
— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/518755541804654592">October 5, 2014</a>
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<p>Stones' injury adds to <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton's</a> lengthy list of injury woes that includes <span>Ross Barkley</span>, <span>Seamus Coleman</span>, and <span>Kevin Mirallas</span>.</p>
<p>Evertonians will hope that Stones ankle problem is not serious and that he can take the international break to recover. Stones had been demonstrating top form and had replaced the aging and struggling <span>Sylvain Distin</span> at center-back. He put in a strong performance on Thursday in the Europa League matchup against FC Krasnodar.</p>
<p>We will monitor this and all injury situations and keep you updated here and at @RBMersey on Twitter. Let us know what you think about Stones' injury in the comments below.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/10/5/6910295/john-stones-everton-injurySean Yancy2014-10-05T14:06:00+01:002014-10-05T14:06:00+01:00Instant Reaction: A loss at Old Trafford
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<figcaption>Clive Brunskill</figcaption>
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<p>Everton fall to Manchester United on the road.</p> <p> </p>
<div>Everton went into Old Trafford on Sunday and lost to <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester United</a>. The play of the goalkeepers made the difference in this match. Here are some thoughts:</div>
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<li><span>Everton struggled to attack in the first half. Any effort to play the ball into a dangerous area was stopped before the attacking third. The Manchester United defense only allowed two shots on goal in the first 45 minutes: one on a long pass in to Lukaku and the other the saved penalty. <span>Steven Pienaar</span> and <span>Tony Hibbert</span> did well to win the penalty, but all for nothing as <span>Leighton Baines</span> ruined his perfect Premier League record when his shot was stopped.</span></li>
<li><span>Roberto Martinez's adjustments in the second half (<span>Steven Naismith</span> to the center, <span>Romelu Lukaku</span> to the left) paid dividends. <span>Daley Blind</span> had acres of space to distribute the ball in the first half, and that defensive negligence resulted in the first goal. The manager's decision paid off when Naismith's diving header hit the back of the net. </span></li>
<li><span><span>Tim Howard</span> cost his team a goal. His decision to keep the ball in play and not just kick it out left <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton's</a> defense in shambles. Di Maria took a shot and Falcao intercepted and scored. This came at the worst time as Everton were looking stronger and the go-ahead goal took the life out of the Blues.</span></li>
<li><span>More confusing substitutions from Martinez. Why leave Samuel Eto'o on the bench? <span>Leon Osman</span> comes on for <span>Aiden McGeady</span> when Eto'o just scored to equalize in Russia? To be fair, Osman got two really good looks at goal, and nearly scored. </span></li>
<li><span>David De Gea won this game for Manchester United. He had some great saves at the end to keep Everton out of his goal and claim a win for his team.</span></li>
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<p>Everton go into the international break on a down note. The next match is <a href="https://7500toholte.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Aston Villa</a> at home on October 18th.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/10/5/6910039/everton-manchester-united-instant-reaction-premier-leagueSean Yancy2014-10-05T11:33:28+01:002014-10-05T11:33:28+01:00Everton at Manchester United: Live Gamethread
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> travel to Old Trafford for their first fixture against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> this season. The Toffees won both fixtures against the Red Devils last year, including their first win at Old Trafford in 21 years.</p>
<p>Despite spending nearly £170 million on players during the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/transfer-rumors">transfer window</a>, Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United have struggled to regain their dominant ways and currently sit 10th in the table. Even with high profile signings such as Angel di Maria and <span>Radamel Falcao</span>, United have not fared much better than they did under <span>David Moyes</span>.</p>
<p>Everton are coming off a disappointing draw at Krasnodar in the Europa League. The Toffees could no doubt use a win against a struggling club like United if they wish to get their season back on track.</p>
<p><span>Seamus Coleman</span>, <span>Sylvain Distin</span> and <span>James McCarthy</span> will miss today's match, but <span>Steven Pienaar</span> has been cleared to play and will be in the starting line-up.</p>
<p>Everton Starting XI: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Stones, Baines, Barry, Besic, Pienaar, McGeady, Naismith, Lukaku</p>
<p>Everton Subs: Joel, Gibson, Eto'o, Oviedo, Osman, Browning, Alcaraz</p>
<p>Manchester United Starting XI: De Gea, Rafael, Shaw, Rojo, Blind, McNair, Mata, Valencia, Falcao, van Persie, di Maria</p>
<p>Manchester United Subs: Lindegaard, Thorpe, Blackett, Fletcher, Fellaini, Januzaj, Wilson</p>
<p>Those are the starting lineups for the game, make sure to hang with us the comment section to discuss the game...<b>COYB!!</b></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/10/5/6910013/everton-at-mancester-united-live-gamethreadmralbaugh2014-10-04T15:47:09+01:002014-10-04T15:47:09+01:00Everton at Manchester United: Match Preview
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<p>The Toffees travel to Old Trafford to take on Louis Van Gaal's squad.</p> <p>Everton go into Old Trafford on Sunday having drawn their last two matches (both on the road) with late equalizers. The Blues will try to get the best of a <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Manchester United</a> side that, despite spending millions in player acquisitions, have been defeated by both MK Dons and <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Leicester City</a> this season.</p>
<p><b>Team News</b></p>
<p>Everton are back on the road for the fourth game in a row and only three days after a nearly 5000 mile trip to Russia. The team has been victimized by injuries of late, and manager <span>Roberto Martinez</span> <a href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2014/10/03/barkley-set-for-training-return" target="_blank">gave</a> an update on Friday regarding some of those injured players. Here's what he said:</p>
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<p>"We could get some players back this weekend, <span>James McCarthy</span> and Seamus Coleman will have late fitness tests, so it's too early to tell on those two. But Steven Pienaar has been training really well and I think he probably has got the better chance of the four players looking ahead to the weekend."</p>
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<p>Martinez also talked about Ross Barkley's <a target="_blank" href="http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/10/3/6900439/barkley-could-resume-training-next-week">return</a>, and while he has no chance of playing on Sunday, it's great news for Evertonians:</p>
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<p>"I think he will be back training with the team after the international break and then we will have to see how long it'll take Ross to get back to match fitness from then."</p>
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<p><b>The Opponent</b></p>
<p>Manchester United are a team that need no introduction, though there are a number of new faces at Old Trafford this season (Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao to name a few). The Red Devils are now led by Dutchman Louis Van Gaal, who was hired after leading the Netherlands to a third place finish in the 2014 World Cup.</p>
<p>Captain Wayne Rooney is suspended for three games for a red card incident against West Ham last Saturday. United, like Everton, are ravaged by injuries.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Van Gaal on Sunday's selection dilemma: "We have eight injuries and one suspension, so nine players are not available." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mufc?src=hash">#mufc</a></p>
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/518052925441343488">October 3, 2014</a>
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<p>That injury list includes: <span>Michael Carrick</span>, <span>Jonny Evans</span>, <span>Ander Herrera</span>, <span>Phil Jones</span>, <span>Chris Smalling</span>, and Ashley Young. Familiar face <span>Marouane Fellaini</span> should be fit to play against his former club.</p>
<p><b>What to Watch For</b></p>
<p>Though Manchester United will go into Sunday down nine players, they do go into the game with Angel di Maria, <span>Radamel Falcao</span>, and Robin Van Persie, who will surely cause problems for <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Everton's</a> shaky defense. Martinez should start <span>John Stones</span> and <span>Phil Jagielka</span> at center-back. Stones turned in a great performance against FC Krasnodar on Thursday, and will try to keep that form going in the Premier League. Evertonians hope that they will see <span>Seamus Coleman's</span> return to the right-back position, but he will undergo a fitness test before the game. If Coleman is deemed unfit, 33-year-old <span>Tony Hibbert</span> will play, unless the manager takes a big risk and starts the 20-year-old Tyias Browning.</p>
<p>United have had their own problems in the back and Everton must exploit those problems if they want to escape Manchester with a result. Van Gaal likes to play with three center-backs, but with injury problems it is unclear whether he will play that way on Sunday. Martinez needs a better showing from <span>Romelu Lukaku</span> and a return to early season form from <span>Steven Naismith</span> to wreak havoc on the United defense.</p>
<p>Playing without their captain will be a concern for Manchester United, but Van Gaal said in his press <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-united-press-conference-recap-4373165">conference</a>:</p>
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<p>"In his position <span>Juan Mata</span> has played very well. I have to choose. I will miss Wayne because he is the captain of the team but Mata can also play very well."</p>
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<p>Everton and Manchester United are similar in that neither team has played in a consistent manner this season. The match is a good test for both, and a win could instill confidence for the long season.</p>
<p><b>Time, TV, Where to Watch</b></p>
<p>The match starts early on Sunday, but Martinez <a target="_blank" href="http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2014/10/03/martinez-well-be-ready">insists</a> there will be no fatigue from Thursday night's away match in Russia:</p>
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<p>"The kick-off time is a bit of a disappointment because every hour you can get is a bonus, but we don't see that as an excuse or reason to moan."</p>
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<p>UK - 12pm kickoff - BT Sport 1</p>
<p>USA - 7am EST kickoff - NBCSN</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/10/4/6900443/everton-manchester-united-match-preview-premier-leagueSean Yancy