Manchester United striker Anthony Martial labelled a ‘diver’ by Everton manager Marco Silva after winning penalty in home win
French striker took a tumble from Idrissa Gueye's challenge and then Paul Pogba netted from the spot
ANTHONY MARTIAL was caught up in a ‘cheat’ storm as he helped Manchester United grab a vital victory against Everton.
Goodison boss Marco Silva called the Frenchman a ‘diver’ after he won a penalty in United’s 2-1 win. Paul Pogba netted in the 27th minute after Jordan Pickford saved his initial spot-kick.
Victory lifts United up to eighth in the table and eased pressure on under-pressure Jose Mourinho.
But Silva was raging after the game — and claimed his team had been robbed.
The Portuguese fumed: “It was not a penalty, clearly the player dived. It leaves a bad sensation.
“I told the players after the game that it was not a fair result.
“When the game is balanced in the first 20 to 35 minutes, the penalty put them ahead and made them more comfortable.
“That moment, it was no penalty and it was so difficult for us. That moment also makes it easy for our opponents.
“You are more exposed then because you have to take more risks.”
French forward Martial rubbed salt in the wounds by firing home a stunning second for United, four minutes after the break.
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But ref Jon Moss gave Everton hope by awarding them a spot-kick when Chris Smalling upended Richarlison.
Boss Silva claimed that decision was spot-on — unlike United’s.
He added: “Our one was a clear penalty but not like the first one.
“The referee is there and it looks like my player touched the ball.
“I don’t think it is a tough decision. But I don’t want to talk about it more as I respect the ref.”
United boss Mourinho later claimed he was pleased with his side’s performance . . . only to then bizarrely reel off a list off their failings.
Despite moving only five points off the top four, Mourinho said: “We are playing OK.
"We are not as rock solid as I would like — we don’t have that killer instinct I would like.
“Some teams, they have three chances and score three goals. Some teams, without the ball, can resist and keep a clean sheet all the time.
“But for us it is almost impossible to keep a clean sheet — even with the phenomenal keeper that we have.
“And to score goals is really difficult for us. You can see that.”
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Mourinho axed Romelu Lukaku from his starting line-up with the Belgian now without a goal in his last nine games.
And the Red Devils chief admitted his struggles — along with that of Marcus Rashford — are causing him a headache.
He said: “In the last nine matches, between Rashford and Lukaku, we score one goal, unless I am wrong.”