Everton vs Manchester United: 5 Key Talking Points

#2 James McCarthy adds much needed, irreverent, bite to the Toffees

Rooney couldn't provide the bite that McCarthy instantly could

The moment the Irishman came on in the place of a tired looking Wayne Rooney, Everton looked a different outfit. Snarling into tackles all over the place, pressing aggressively, getting into fights against all and sundry... McCarthy upped Everton's tempo from the get-go and held complete sway over midfield during the brief period Everton gave United's defence a right ol' proper scare (for ten or so minutes before Lingard's killer second goal).

His return to fitness is a much needed boost to a team that looked for large parts of the game in great need of some irreverence toward the opposition, a touch of bite and spirit that can often help a team get the crowd on their side (like it did Goodison for said period) and can often induce enough panic within opposition ranks to help grab a goal or two.

With him fully-fit, Everton will be much the better team in the second-half of the season.