A desperately unlucky Conor Coady own goal and injury-time penalty was the difference as Everton were edged 3-1 by Manchester United in the FA Cup third round despite a spirited and encouraging display at Old Trafford.
Frank Lampard’s resolute Blues responded to an early opener from Antony to level on 14 minutes when Coady made the most of a David De Gea error to finish from close range.
But the England international could do little about the hosts’ second shortly after half-time as he turned in Marcus Rashford’s low cross.
Everton never gave up against a strong and in-form United team, however, being denied a Dominic Calvert-Lewin equaliser 17 minutes time when Demarai Gray was ruled offside by inches in the build-up to the striker’s close-range finish.
United then ensured their progress with virtually the last kick of the game, Rashford scoring from the penalty spot after Ben Godfrey brought down Alejandro Garnacho.
A performance full of promise was soured, though, following an injury to Alex Iwobi early into the second half which saw the Nigerian taken off on a stretcher.
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