Everton 0-2 Manchester United: Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial’s late goals book visitors spot in League Cup semi-finals

Late strikes from Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial fired Manchester United into the semi-final of the Carabao Cup.

Cavani finished superbly in the 88^th minute with the game seemingly heading to penalties. Substitute Martial scored with the last kick of the game as Everton pushed for an equaliser. 

United’s 2-0 victory away to the Toffees means that they’ll play rivals Manchester City, with the winner progressing to the final. 

The quest for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first piece of silverware as manager continues. 

He will be hoping to overcome Manchester City this year, having been knocked out of this competition at the semi-finals to Pep Guardiola’s side last year.

United made nine changes to the side that emphatically beat Leeds on Sunday and this didn’t seem to affect them though as they dominated the opening encounters. 

Cavani’s volley early on was saved by Robin Olsen, who came into the side over Jordan Pickford. Mason Greenwood had a glancing header skim the post and Paul Pogba couldn’t react quickly enough to guide his header into the goal. 

Everton eventually got a foothold in the game, much to the delight of the 2,000 fans still allowed into Goodison Park, but their only chance came from a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick which was comfortably palmed over the bar by Dean Henderson. 

The second half was a dull affair. On 53 minutes, an incident involving Cavani and Yerry Mina led to the Uruguayan grabbing Mina’s throat, the referee didn’t act and with no VAR, the on-field decision stood. 

Any hope of an Everton win in open play faded when Richarlison went off injured following an awkward collision with Eric Bailly. 

Marcus Rashford and Martial were brought on to win the game and gave United more bite going forward. Just two minutes from time, the French forward slid in Cavani who expertly finished past Olsen from 20 yards out. 

As the Toffees pushed for an equaliser, United countered and Martial slotted the ball calmly into the bottom corner as the final whistle blew. 

By Jon Bazley