Falcao scores, De Gea saves Manchester United in win vs. Everton

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Radamel Falcao scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 2-1 win over Everton on Sunday as the Red Devils won consecutive Premier League games for the first time under manager Louis Van Gaal.

Angel Di Maria opened the scoring for the hosts before United 'keeper David de Gea saved a penalty from Leighton Baines.

The England international then picked out Steven Naismith, who put the teams level in the 55th minute.

Falcao, who joined United on loan from Monaco during the summer, sealed his team's win seven minutes later, slotting home past Tim Howard after di Maria's shot landed in the Colombian's path.

"Everton got chances outside the box and they had good shots, but David De Gea was fantastic," Van Gaal said. "Falcao was forcing himself last week against West Ham. I told him to be satisfied about his performances and that the goals are coming. The goals are coming. He will be even better after the international break."

De Gea made a stunning save in stoppage time to tip over the bar Bryan Oviedo's left-foot shot from 20 meters.

Falaco missed four chances but finally scored a poacher's goal as United, which played without the suspended Wayne Rooney, claimed a deserved win after dominating from the start at Old Trafford.

Di Maria put the hosts in front with a curled effort past Howard from Juan Mata's cross for his third goal of the season before Naismith got the better of Luke Shaw and headed home.

De Gea was decisive throughout, denying Leon Osman and Oviedo after stopping Baines' penalty kick.

"What was my most important save? Maybe the penalty," De Gea said. "Every save is important but the team played very well. I think the younger players in the team will learn from these types of games. The team and the manager need to look forward."

Baines had scored 14 penalties from 14 attempts before his attempt at the bottom left was thwarted by De Gea.

"I think David is the guy the who deserves this reward rather than myself, he saved us throughout the game and particularly towards the end and the penalty as well so not only him but the rest of the side deserve this," said Di Maria after being named man of the match.