Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates after Conor Coady of Everton turns his cross into the net during his team's FA Cup clash with Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, January 6, 2023. /CFP
Marcus Rashford was everywhere.
The Manchester United talisman bamboozled Everton defender Ben Godfrey with blistering speed on the wing before sending a marvelous ball towards the back post for Antony to slide in the opening goal.
Just when Everton thought they could turn the tables after their center back Conor Coady netted an equalizer, Rashford duly utilized his consummate footwork to deceive Coady into inadvertently turning the striker's cross into his own net.
Finally, Rashford put the game beyond doubt after beating Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford from the spot deep into injury time, ending any faint hope of an Everton comeback.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is tackled by Ben Godfrey of Everton during his team's FA Cup clash at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, January 6, 2023. /CFP
The 3-1 scoreline means United's stunning winning run has now been extended to seven games as they advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Everton on Friday night.
Rashford, who lies at the heart of United's every attack, has now scored in each of his last five matches for the Red Devils. With each win, United recovered some self-assurance. In every single one, Rashford has been the brightest star on the pitch.
"This is probably up there with the best goalscoring form I've had in my career," beamed Rashford afterwards. "I feel good on the pitch. I'm getting into positions and areas to score goals. If I keep creating chances, I feel like I'll keep scoring."
"We want to be in finals and the biggest games. Ultimately, we want to be win silverware and a trophy. Hopefully this season we get a chance to do that," he added.
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United dribbles amid tight Everton defense during during his team's FA Cup clash at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, January 6, 2023. /CFP
The sentiment was echoed by United manager Erik ten Hag. "Rashford is in good form and on a good run, keep it going," he said at a press conference. "If he keeps focus, concentration and the good work. If he keeps investing in training and games, I am convinced he can keep it going.
"I know Manchester United are always aiming for trophies and we are going for that. We cannot force this and have to focus on the next game, not focus on trophies, that is far away. We have to work on the team and development.
"We can act and stay composed so we have resilience. We have good skills in the team to win games and win prizes."
While United marched on in a ruthless manner, Everton's woe continued. Though Frank Lampard's side displayed plenty of fighting spirit and gradually played themselves into the contest with intelligent movements, they still failed to find a way to crawl out of their current nightmare as the team clinched only one win in 12 games.
Everton fans display a banner saying sack the board during the FA Cup match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, January 6, 2023. /CFP
After the humiliating 4-1 thrashing at home by Brighton earlier this week, Lampard faced mounting pressure and calls for him to be sacked. The latest setback would not help his cause. And to add insult to injury, Alex Iwobi, who has been Everton's most dependable player this season so far, was stretchered off in obvious pain after he suffered a serious ankle injury.
However, Lampard struck a defiant note during the press briefing.
"I think we deserved better," he observed. "The players were very, very good in a sense of organization, the game plan, the work ethic. Things which should be basics in football but people question them when you have a performance like we did the other night.
"We were really good. We had the better chances I think. Marcus Rashford was probably the difference between the teams. A top individual talent can do that to you."
Everton manager Frank Lampard in frustration after his team's FA Cup loss at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, January 6, 2023. /CFP
When asked about his future at Everton, Lampard said, "That's not under my control. It's not for me to focus on that. It's for me to focus on what I saw tonight and that was a performance that every manager wants with the attitude of the team, and the focus. The focus now is Southampton.
"This league can change very quickly and when you're in a difficult run you have to work really hard to get out of it but it can change... I don't want to talk about my future, I only want to talk about the players and how well they played."
For Lampard, the only consolation is that his players were applauded off by their fans for their strength of character after the final whistle. To their credit, compared to their previous defeats, Everton have been much better in terms of individual performance and teamwork.
But there is still a long way to go and Lampard faces an uphill battle to reverse his and his team's fortunes.