Give Everton credit amid United post-mortem, urges Keane

Michael Keane hopes Everton get the credit they deserve for their stunning defeat of Manchester United on Sunday.

Most of the headlines following a remarkable game at Goodison Park have been about United’s dismal performance in a humiliating 4-0 loss for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

But Everton were outstanding in all departments and defender Keane, a former United youth player, hopes that is not forgotten.

The centre-back said: “That is the way it is – Manchester United are a club that if they are not doing well get all the headlines. It is one of those things they have to deal with.

“But we deserve a lot of credit. We went about our gameplan exactly as we wanted to and in very tough conditions we took the game to them for the whole 90 minutes. I think we got what we deserved.”

Everton’s victory was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggested and lifted them to seventh in the Premier League.

They showed a hunger United lacked from the outset and took command with fine first-half goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Lucas Digne and Theo Walcott piled on the misery for United after the break.

Keane said: “We wanted to get in their faces and make it difficult for them. We knew they would tire as the game went on.

“I think the two goals in the first half helped open the game up and we managed to get a few more. It was such a hot day, it was a matter of keeping the ball and waiting for the chances to appear.”

Everton moved up to seventh and a potential Europa League qualification spot. Although they lost at relegated Fulham in their previous outing, the Toffees’ form has improved markedly with wins over Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal in recent weeks.

Keane, 26, said: “I think we have started to show that consistency – albeit with a disappointing result last week, but we have bounced back straight away.

“We have only got three games left now. We have got to look at each game, try to win them all and see where that takes us.”