Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite speaking to Sky Sports: “I think second half we dominated most of the half. We had some balls into the box and created chances. I think it’s something as a team we need to get better at – putting those chances away. One lapse of concentration on the counter-attack and they’ve scored the winning goal. We’ve came in at full-time disappointed because we deserved more from the game.”
On Everton’s performance: “You can see the way we started the second half, we came out with a lot of momentum. There was a 15-minute spell in the first half where maybe they dominated possession but overall it’s been a good game from us. As I say, a lapse of concentration and we get punished.
“You can’t do it in the Premier League. We’ve been punished. They had one [chance] in the first half where Mbeumo went through the middle and if it’s a better pass, he’s probably through again. That was on a counter-attack, so we were aware of it at half-time. It’s disappointing to come in and not pick up any points.”
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We had to do a lot of work, credit to Everton they made it difficult, made us defend our box a lot. The spirit with which we defended the box was top class. A clean sheets is fantastic. We can play better than that, but at the same time it is pleasing to come away from home and win 1-0.
On Benjamin Sesko’s goal: “Great finish, it was a ruthless finish, I like the way he put it away with real confidence. Great play from Matheus [Cunha] and Bryan [Mbeumo] to set it up, we have the players to play on the break. Delighted for Ben [Sesko] again, coming on and making the difference.
On Matheus Cunha: “He had to defend second half Matheus and he did it really well. It was some pass over the top [for the goal]. We needed a whole team performance in terms of the pressure Everton put us under, and the boys did it. If you do you get rewards because we’ve got dangerous players.
On goalkeeper Senne Lammens: “He made a couple really good saves, he looked calm and composed in a tough environment. A lot of corners coming in under his crossbar, didn’t get flustered, took some good chances and clean hands. He was immense for us tonight.
“I’m delighted with the result and spirit, the boys digging deep and sacrificing for each other. Results wise it’s been good, But there is still much to come from us.”
Carrick speaking to Sky Sports: “It was a great move. We know we are capable of that. I think we know we have players who can do that if we defend as a team and put the work in. We always feel as though we have a chance. The clean sheet was just as important as the goal. It wad a fabulous goal.”
On Sesko’s impact: “Ben is in a good place at the moment and we’ve had some really good talks about it. He’s patience and understands that. He’s going to be a big player for us for a long period of time I’m sure of that. We’ve got to manage that.
“We’ve got some really good forward players and he’s made a big difference for us when he’s been on the pitch. That’s a decision as we move forward. The balance has been really good between the forward players and we’ve got to continue that.
“I think there is games where you have to do that and show different sides to the game. We had the first four games, four wins in a row and some really good performances in there, so I expected a period where we’d have to find ourselves a little bit and find results. I thought we did it at West Ham and we did it today.
“That spirit, that sacrifice and that willingness to work for each other and as a team the way we had to defend the box for the last period of the game – everybody playing their part – and in the end a clean sheet was fantastic. A great win for us.”
On his side’s performance: “It didn’t really come easy for us tonight. I’ve come to Everton for a long time and every time we come over here it’s tough. I’ve never had an easy game. I’ve never had a game where it’s all clicked. We expected a tough one tonight. When we played our last game, it is what it is. The lads have trained really well and we came in looking nd feeling good bout the game. It was one of those nights for us. We had to dig deep and it was a bit of a struggle at times. But sometimes they are the best ones to win.”
