Louis van Gaal accused his Manchester United players of being out-fought in a 3-0 scandalous defeat at Everton on Sunday that left the Premier League top-four door slightly open for Liverpool.
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Victory at Goodison Park would have all but guaranteed a return to the Champions League for United after this season’s absence from Europe but they were picked off by a clinical Everton side despite hogging possession.
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A breakaway goal after five minutes by James McCarthy put Everton ahead and they doubled their lead before halftime with a glancing header from John Stones.
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Kevin Mirallas fired Everton’s third after the break to kill off the 20-times English champions and leave United seven points above fifth-placed Liverpool who have a game in hand against relegation-threatened Hull City on Tuesday.
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“We have always had more fighting spirit on the pitch and I think that this is the first match that the other team have shown more of that than us,” Dutchman Van Gaal told the BBC.
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“We created five chances in the first half – Marouane Fellaini had to score – that is more than Everton.
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“In the second half they scored on the counter and we had to play against a defensive side.
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“This was the first match when I saw a team that was more motivated and aggressive than us. It is not good, but we are human beings.
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“Everton deserved to win. When the result is fair, you can live with it.”
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