Ronaldo reaches milestone with winner for Manchester United at Everton

Cristiano Ronaldo made history as Manchester United made amends at Goodison Park. The veteran forward became the first player to score 700 goals at club level as he helped Erik ten Hag’s team erase the misery of their mauling by Manchester City with an impressive away win at Everton.

The 37-year-old’s last appearance at Goodison Park ended with an FA charge for smacking a phone out of a young Evertonian’s hand following a lame defeat against Frank Lampard’s side. He returned to create yet more history, driving home a deserved winner to hit an incredible milestone that not even the likes of Pele, Ferenc Puskas or Lionel Messi – yet – accomplished. United Part II will not be remembered as the finest time of Ronaldo’s remarkable career but it has witnessed something special.

Victory was merited reward for a far more unified and intelligent United performance than they served up at the Etihad Stadium seven days ago.

Casemiro was handed a first Premier League start as Ten Hag made four changes to the team that was flattered by their margin of defeat in last week’s Manchester derby. The £70m summer signing received a rude introduction as Everton made the perfect start on the back of his mistake. Receiving an awkward pass from Antony, Casemiro was dispossessed from behind by Amadou Onana’s strong challenge and left on the ground as Demarai Gray seized on the loose ball. Gray ran at United’s exposed defence and squared inside to Alex Iwobi, via a slight deflection. The Everton midfielder was urged to shoot by the home crowd and, heeding their calls, curled a superb shot from 25 yards past David de Gea’s despairing left hand into the top corner. It was Iwobi’s first Premier League goal from outside the penalty area and a vivid