Manchester United extended their impressive unbeaten streak under interim manager Michael Carrick with a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool on February 23, 2026. The match, though lacking in fireworks for much of its duration, was ultimately decided by the clinical finishing of Benjamin Sesko, who has swiftly become Carrick’s ace off the bench.
From the outset, both teams approached the fixture with a sense of urgency. United, fresh off a two-week break, were eager to solidify their position in the Premier League’s top four, while Everton, led by David Moyes, sought to end their frustrating run of home games without a win. The stakes were high, and the tension was palpable as the players took to the pitch, with lineups reflecting each manager’s intent to seize the moment. United’s starting eleven featured Senne Lammens in goal, a back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Luke Shaw, with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo anchoring the midfield. Up front, the attacking trident of Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, and Matheus Cunha supported Bryan Mbeumo, who started through the middle. Everton, meanwhile, lined up with Jordan Pickford between the posts, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam in midfield, and Thierno Barry leading the line, with key absentees including the suspended Jake O’Brien and the injured Jack Grealish.
The first half unfolded with both sides probing for weaknesses but failing to produce a breakthrough. United’s best chance came early, when Amad Diallo’s effort was dramatically cleared off the line by James Tarkowski, setting the tone for a match that would be defined as much by defensive grit as attacking flair. Everton responded with promising spells, as teenager Harrison Armstrong forced a save from Lammens, and Michael Keane’s long-range effort tested the United keeper. However, the teams went into the break deadlocked at 0-0, with the fourth official signaling three minutes of added time and both managers left to ponder tactical tweaks.
The second half saw a continuation of the cagey play, punctuated by moments of individual brilliance and flashes of frustration. United’s midfield duo of Casemiro and Mainoo worked tirelessly to disrupt Everton’s rhythm, while Dalot and Shaw provided steady support on the flanks. The match grew increasingly physical, with yellow cards handed out to Bruno Fernandes, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, James Tarkowski, and Jordan Pickford as tempers flared and fouls mounted. Injuries led to several stoppages, notably for Casemiro, Bryan Mbeumo, Thierno Barry, and James Tarkowski, further disrupting the flow.
As the hour mark approached, Carrick turned to his bench, introducing Benjamin Sesko in place of Amad Diallo. The move would prove decisive. Sesko, who had already developed a reputation for game-changing contributions in recent weeks, wasted little time making his mark. In the 71st minute, United launched a swift counter-attack initiated by Matheus Cunha’s incisive pass. Bryan Mbeumo, despite a night of mixed fortunes in possession, surged forward and delivered a precise ball into the path of Sesko. With composure beyond his years, the Slovenian striker swept a first-time shot into the bottom right corner, leaving Pickford with no chance and sending the traveling United supporters into raptures.
“It was really important for us to win this game. It was really difficult,” Sesko reflected after the match, as reported by Reuters. “We were fighting. They were fighting. It was a really 50-50 battle but we managed it until the end and secured the win.”
Everton, to their credit, responded with renewed urgency, pushing forward in search of an equalizer. The Toffees earned a flurry of corners and forced Lammens into several crucial saves, notably denying Keane’s thunderous drive and Tyrique George’s late effort. Despite their efforts, Everton’s attack lacked the clinical edge needed to break United’s resolve. Moyes, visibly frustrated, admitted, “I’m not happy with the scoreline, that’s for sure. You have to win games if you are going to keep moving on and we haven’t been doing that, especially here. They got the one goal on the counter-attack and we put in a great effort to try and get the goal back but just lacked the quality to make it count.”
The closing stages saw further substitutions as both managers sought to influence proceedings. Ayden Heaven replaced Matheus Cunha for United, while Beto and Tyrique George entered the fray for Everton. The fourth official signaled five minutes of added time, during which Everton continued to press but found United’s defense—marshaled by Maguire and Yoro—unyielding. The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought victory for the visitors.
The win extended Carrick’s unbeaten start as interim manager to six matches, with five wins and one draw, and lifted United three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification. Player ratings from the match underscored the collective effort, with Lammens earning an 8 for a composed display in goal, while Dalot, Maguire, Yoro, and Shaw all received solid marks for their defensive contributions. Mbeumo’s assist and Sesko’s match-winning cameo drew particular praise, with the latter’s impact as a “super sub” becoming a recurring storyline. Carrick, rated 7 for his management, has instilled both resilience and belief in a squad that now sits firmly in the hunt for European football.
“We always feel as though we have a chance. The clean sheet was just as important as the goal. It was a fabulous goal,” Carrick told the press. “Ben is in a good place at the moment and we’ve had some really good talks about it. He’s going to be a big player for us for a long period of time I’m sure of that.”
For Everton, the defeat marked a continuation of their struggles at home, extending their winless run at Hill Dickinson Stadium to seven matches in all competitions. Despite solid defensive organization and spells of promise in attack, Moyes’ side remains ninth in the table, with their European ambitions now under threat unless they can rediscover their cutting edge in front of goal.
United’s victory was not the most stylish, but it was a testament to the team’s growing maturity under Carrick and the emergence of Sesko as a reliable match-winner. As the Premier League campaign enters its decisive phase, United fans will be hoping that this blend of grit and timely quality can carry them back to the Champions League stage. Everton, meanwhile, face a period of soul-searching as they look to bounce back from another missed opportunity on home turf.
With the dust settling on a night of narrow margins and high drama at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Manchester United’s pursuit of a top-four finish remains very much alive, while Everton are left to rue what might have been in front of their own supporters.