Premier League: Manchester United Lose To Struggling Everton In Blow To Top 4 Bid

Everton beat Manchester United 1-0 on Saturday to give their Premier League survival hopes a huge boost and deal a significant blow to the Red Devils' chances of finishing in the top four. Victory at Goodison Park, courtesy of Anthony Gordon's deflected first-half effort -- lifts Frank Lampard's team four points clear of the bottom three having played a game more than 18th-placed Burnley. But United's season is in danger of imploding -- they remain three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham having played a game extra and their bid to qualify for next season's Champions League looks doomed.

Lampard -- celebrating just the third Premier League win since he took charge in late January -- said he was proud of his battling team.

"Beautiful football can come later on," he told BT Sport. "I have ambitions for this club to stay up, play well, but in the position we are in, fighting comes first and foremost."

United top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo returned after missing last week's 1-1 draw with Leicester along with out-of-form fellow forward Marcus Rashford, who was making his 200th Premier League appearance.

The visitors were the first side to threaten against a team desperately short of confidence following a string of disappointing results, including a 3-2 loss to Burnley in midweek.

Jordan Pickford saves

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made two fine early saves from Rashford, first keeping out a powerful drive and then scrambling low to his right to save a downward header.

The home side scored against the run of play in the 27th minute.

United lost the ball in midfield and Richarlison, initially forced wide on the left, cut the ball back towards the box, where it fell for Gordon.

The forward struck his shot well but a