Manchester: Jesse Lingard scored his fourth goal in as many games and substitute Romelu Lukaku added an injury time effort as Manchester United reached the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-0 home win over Championship side Derby County here, Friday night.
Lingard, who scored a pair of fine goals in a 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley followed by another in a 2-0 win at Everton, produced another exquisite finish as he unleashed a first time shot from 18 metres in the 83rd minute. Manchester prior to the Lingard goal could have had a couple of more goals. Marcus Rashford hit the woodwork and so did Lingard.
Lukaku, who returned from a head injury and came on as a half time substitute for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, broke away and powered his shot past Scot Carson at the death as Derby threw men forward in search of an equaliser against the Red Devils.
Meanwhile in another third round encounter, Liverpool won 2-1 against Everton. Virgil van Dijk made a dream start to his Anfield career, scoring the winning goal on his debut for Liverpool. The Dutchman rose inside the area to head home an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain corner in front of the Kop end in the 84th minute of what had been an enthralling Merseyside derby.
“What a night. It was thoroughly deserved, it felt amazing to be out there, the goal is very special for me and my family,” said Van Dijk. “Playing at Anfield for Liverpool is a dream for every player. To score a goal is even more special.”
Liverpool looked to have been frustrated after Gylfi Sigurdsson brought Everton level in the 67th minute after a brilliant counter-attack from Sam Allardyce’s side. But Van Dijk, provided the much needed relief to the Reds.
After a frenetic start, Liverpool had taken the lead through a 35th minute penalty from James Milner after Everton defender Mason Holgate had pulled down Adam Lallana in the box.
Reuters
