Manchester United Leave It Late Again: Sesko Sinks Everton at Hill Dickinson
Manchester United made it five straight wins over Everton with a 1-0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 6 September 2026, Benjamin Sesko's 71st-minute goal settling a match the home side threatened to take something from late on (manutd.com).
United manager Michael Carrick named the same starting eleven that hammered Ipswich Town 5-2 the previous weekend — a show of faith in a side finding rhythm after an opening-day defeat (manutd.com). The line-up began with Lammens in goal behind Dalot, Maguire and Martinez. Everton, buoyed by an opening win over Crystal Palace at their new home, were unchanged in intent if not in personnel — and for long stretches they more than matched their visitors.
The first half was short on clear chances. Thierno Barry headed Everton's best opportunity over the bar from close range and was fortunate to escape a booking for going down theatrically in the box. At the back, Jarrad Branthwaite was outstanding — BBC Sport gave him an 8, singling out a crunching tackle on Marcus Rashford as the highlight of a commanding display (BBC Sport). James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko each received a 6 alongside goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who had a quiet afternoon by his standards.
In midfield, Harrison Armstrong caught the eye with a 7 — though his booking for dragging Bruno Fernandes round the neck was a reminder that the youngster plays with fire. James Garner and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, also rated 7, kept Everton ticking before both were withdrawn in the second half. Brennan Johnson, on loan from Manchester City's wider orbit of expensive wingers, was booked for a foul on Matheus Cunha and replaced by Jack Grealish in the 66th minute — the substitution that roused the crowd.
Grealish, rated 7 by BBC Sport, brought an immediacy Everton had lacked. His arrival, plus those of Hayden Hackney and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, turned a match drifting toward a routine away win into something far more tense. Hackney played the pass for the equaliser that never came. Maitland-Niles, on in the 77th minute, received an 8 — the highest substitute rating — for what BBC Sport called a decisive contribution, though it was not enough to prevent a fifth consecutive defeat by United, all by 1-0 scorelines (Yahoo Sports).
For Everton, the pattern is becoming uncomfortably familiar. Five meetings, five losses, five goals conceded and none scored against this opponent. Barry's 5 was the lowest rating on the pitch, and the striker who was brought in to lead the line will need sharper afternoons if Everton are to turn promising approach play into points. Their next home match is against Ipswich Town on 19 September, a 3pm kick-off — a fixture they will expect to win.
For Carrick, back-to-back clean sheets away from home tell their own story. United's unbeaten start to the season rolls on, and Sesko's goal — his first at the Hill Dickinson — was the kind of ruthless finish that turns draws into wins. The table is taking shape, and United are in it.
