Paul Pogba admitted he was lucky to score for Manchester United against Everton after seeing his 28-step penalty saved by Jordan Pickford and hinted that he could change his technique for spot-kicks in future.
United were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute at Old Trafford when Idrissa Gueye was judged to have brought down Anthony Martial and Pogba stepped up to take it, deploying the controversial long, slow jog up to the ball that has proved very divisive.
Pickford guessed the right way and parried away Pogba’s eventual shot, but the ball bounced back to the France international to tap in the rebound and give United the lead. Anthony Martial’s second-half strike ensured that not even a late consolation from Gylfi Sigurdsson could deny Jose Mourinho’s men a vital win.
“I always try to destabilise the goalkeeper,” Pogba told Sky Sports after the match. “I always shoot like this and that’s how I know how to take penalties.
“I may practise to change it because maybe the goalkeepers are starting to know my steps, but the most important thing is when the ball goes in.”