Recap

Benjamin Sesko Strikes Again: Manchester United Edge Everton 1-0 in Tense Premier League Clash

Manchester United secured a vital 1-0 victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 23, 2026, thanks to a second-half substitute goal from Benjamin Sesko, propelling Michael Carrick’s side back into fourth place in the Premier League table. The Slovenian striker, who has now scored three crucial goals from the bench in Carrick’s unbeaten run, converted a clinical counter-attack in the 71st minute, ensuring United’s fifth win in six matches under their interim head coach.

First Half: Cautious Start with Flashes of Danger

The match kicked off with high intensity at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, where a crowd of 52,326 created an electric atmosphere, complete with a huge flag display from the home supporters. Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens faced an immediate scare just seconds into the game when he passed back to himself at kick-off, only for Everton’s Thierno Barry to charge down the clearance; fortunately for United, the loose ball rolled out for a goal-kick.

Everton started brightly, putting United under pressure early on, particularly targeting Lammens with aggressive pressing. James Garner tested the Belgian shot-stopper with a free-kick, which he saved confidently, while Dewsbury-Hall unleashed a strike that Lammens parried away. United responded with their first real threat in the fourth minute when Amad Diallo’s shot squirmed under Jordan Pickford, but James Tarkowski cleared it off the line.

Despite dominating possession in a lacklustre first half, United struggled to create clear chances, with Bruno Fernandes firing over from distance as the half drew to a close under referee Darren England. Everton competed well but lacked incision, competing without truly threatening, as both sides displayed a lack of quality in the final third. United’s midfield, anchored by Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, held firm, though Casemiro endured a poor outing with wayward passes.

Second Half: Sesko’s Impact Changes the Narrative

Everton emerged revitalized after the break, creating their best chance within 30 seconds as Iliman Ndiaye found Harrison Armstrong at the back post, but Lammens produced a sharp reflex save. United hit back quickly, with Bryan Mbeumo nearly scoring after good work from Mainoo on the right forced Tarkowski into a scramble, though the shot cleared the crossbar.

Michael Carrick, sensing the need for a spark, introduced Sesko in the 58th minute to replace Amad Diallo, a move that paid dividends just 13 minutes later. The goal arrived during Everton’s strongest passage of play, stemming from a searching diagonal pass by Matheus Cunha from deep in his own half. Cunha’s vision isolated Mbeumo one-on-one with Michael Keane; the forward used his pace to outstrip the centre-back before squaring for Sesko, who finished coolly and clinically past Pickford.

This was Sesko’s third goal as a substitute this season, more than any other player in the league, and his sixth in seven appearances, underscoring his growing importance to Carrick’s resurgence following Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January. By his recent standards, the 71st-minute strike was relatively early, compared to his 90th-minute winners against Fulham and a late equalizer at West Ham.

Everton pushed for an equalizer, with Michael Keane forcing Lammens into a fingertip save from distance, but the Belgian keeper was equal to it, securing United’s first away clean sheet in the league since March 2025. Late substitutions saw Beto replace Tim Iroegbunam for Everton and Noah Mazraoui come on for Mbeumo, while Harry Maguire, Mazraoui, and Fernandes picked up bookings for United. Lammens capped a man-of-the-match display with further world-class saves in the dying moments, ensuring the three points.

Player Performances: Lammens and Sesko Shine for United

Senne Lammens was the standout performer for Manchester United, earning ratings as high as 8.5 for his flawless display between the posts. After a nervy opening clearance, he recovered superbly, making brilliant saves against Garner, Armstrong, and Keane, including two world-class stops late on that preserved the clean sheet. His performance was pivotal, with sources noting United \”don’t win without him.\”

• Diogo Dalot (8/10): Provided constant attacking outlet, delivering crosses and breaking forward effectively.
• Benjamin Sesko (Hero from the bench): Clinical finisher who changed the game, scoring the decisive goal and extending his hot streak.
• Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo (both 6/10): Struggled overall but combined brilliantly for the opener, with Cunha’s pass and Mbeumo’s assist proving match-winning.
• Casemiro (2/10): A shocking downturn, dominated physically and wasteful in possession with Hollywood passes.
• Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro: Solid but unspectacular, with Fernandes and Maguire booked.

For Everton, Jordan Pickford was beaten but rarely tested beyond Sesko’s strike, while James Tarkowski’s goal-line clearance early on was a highlight. Michael Keane was exposed for the goal, and the midfield duo of Iroegbunam and Idrissa Gueye couldn’t break United down. Harrison Armstrong and Iliman Ndiaye showed promise but lacked end product.

Tactical Insights and Key Incidents

Michael Carrick’s United have now gone 10 games unbeaten, with five wins in six under his interim stewardship, moving them to fourth, just three points behind Aston Villa and capitalizing on Chelsea’s slip against Burnley. Sesko’s impact as a non-starter—he’s yet to feature in the XI during Carrick’s six matches—poses selection dilemmas but has fueled the resurgence.

Everton, managed by David Moyes, suffered a blow to their European hopes, remaining in ninth, behind Brentford and Bournemouth, and eight points off Chelsea and Liverpool. They’ve won just once at home since early November and are now seven games without a victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. A controversial moment saw complaints from Everton fans over a block on Jarrad Branthwaite, though it didn’t lead to a penalty.

United’s first-half dominance without penetration gave way to a gritty second-half resolve, epitomized by the counter-attack goal. Everton’s post-interval energy was their best spell, but Lammens’ clinic—four saves in total—frustrated them. The match lacked overall quality until Sesko’s intervention, turning a potential drab stalemate into a precious away win.

Broader Implications for the Premier League Race

This result intensifies the battle for Champions League spots, with United leapfrogging into the top four amid a tight race. Carrick’s credentials strengthen, having reset the team post-Amorim, while Sesko’s form—two winners and an equalizer in Carrick’s run—demands a starting role soon.

Everton’s home woes deepen, piling pressure on Moyes as they languish mid-table, their European dreams fading. United’s away clean sheet drought ends, boosting confidence ahead of upcoming fixtures.

Key moments like the early Lammens scare, Tarkowski’s clearance, Armstrong’s near-miss, and Sesko’s finish defined a game of few chances but high stakes. As the Premier League season progresses, Carrick’s United look poised for more drama, with Sesko emerging as their super-sub savior.