Senne Lammens said he found Everton’s tactics at set-pieces “a bit over the top” but expressed pride in how Manchester United handled their opponent’s aggression. United departed Merseyside with a hard-earned 1-0 victory on Monday evening courtesy of Benjamin Sesko’s counter-attacking goal and some resolute defending. Sesko’s side-footed effort on the break secured the three points in the 71st minute, with United recording their third clean sheet under Michael Carrick’s stewardship to climb back into fourth position in the Premier League.

They have now collected five victories and one draw from their six matches since Carrick took over as interim manager and are brimming with belief. Whilst Sesko’s sixth strike in his last seven outings grabbed the headlines, Lammens’ assured display between the sticks also drew attention. Beyond his magnificent stop to deny Michael Keane’s long-distance attempt, it was his command of aerial balls that satisfied him most as he criticised Everton’s dark arts tactics.

“Everton are a physical team, their defenders are really big,” Lammens told Sky Sports. “We knew the corners and set pieces would be difficult. It’s a strength of mine (dealing with crosses), but today it was a bit over the top! I had to be behind the line in order to come out. It was too much, but it can be difficult for the referee to see it.

“Sometimes you can’t be thinking too much about players around you, because then you aren’t thinking about the ball. My defenders can create space for me, so I have opportunity to come and punch the ball away. But it is getting more and more difficult.

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Kobbie Mainoo also called out Everton’s physicality at corners, posting an image to his Instagram story of both sets of players jostling in the box and then following it up with a picture of a WWE Royal Rumble. The midfielder clearly felt the Toffees resorted more to wrestling than trying to score.

Lammens earned man of the match honours in a closely contested encounter at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with his composed shot-stopping a stark contrast to the Andre Onana era. The Belgian shot-stopper arrived from Royal Antwerp for £18.2million in September and has provided stability at the back.

“Today was about the hard work, defending together. We know we didn’t do our best, especially first half, it was difficult,” he added. “We have to be better on the ball but if we defend well, don’t give balls away then we have the players up top to make the difference.

“I always want to be confident. Since the manger has come in we have been defending well together. we know if me and the defence keep it [goals against] to zero then we have a chance to win.”

Carrick heaped praise upon his goalkeeper following the final whistle. “I thought he was outstanding tonight,” he said. “I think as a goalkeeper, really, you couldn’t expect, you couldn’t hope for much more. Safe hands, calm, composed, came and punched when you needed to and calmed things down. I thought it was an exemplary performance. So it was delighted for him.

“Listen, that was a tough place. That last 15 minutes, the amount of crosses and corners and things that you had to deal with and a couple of shots that he just catches and takes the sting out of it. So to be able to do that in such a manner was obviously pleasing for us.”