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Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have converted first-half penalties – both won by Alejandro Garnacho – as Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League.
The spot kicks in Saturday’s early fixture helped United recover from back-to-back Premier League losses that had jeopardised their Champions League qualification hopes.
Fernandes tucked away his spot kick in the 12th minute for his first home goal since August after James Tarkowski clipped the leg of Garnacho just inside the area.
The Portugal midfielder then handed over penalty duties to Rashford after Garnacho went down under a rash lunge by Ben Godfrey.
Rashford slotted his kick into the corner after a stuttered run-up to double the lead over the Toffees in the 36th.
Sixth-place United, coming off losses to Fulham and Manchester City in the league, trimmed the gap to Tottenham in fifth to three points.
Spurs, who play fourth-place Aston Villa in a crucial match on Sunday (Monday AEDT), have two games in hand on United.
United will be hoping the Premier League has five places — rather than the current four — in next season’s expanded Champions League format.
An extra berth will be determined by English clubs’ overall performance in European competition this season.
Everton, which started the match at Old Trafford five points clear of the relegation zone, had more shots than United (23 to 15) but many were from long range and few seriously troubled goalkeeper Andre Onana.
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