LIVERPOOL, England — There was a moment, a few minutes into the second half, that encapsulated it all. Not just this game and these teams, but what the Premier League has been this season, and what it might become.
A Manchester United attack had just broken down, and Everton’s defense had cleared the ball. Phil Jones, United’s central defender, collected the ball deep inside his own half. Oumar Niasse, Everton’s hardworking forward, chased him down.
Jones hurried a pass to his teammate Marcos Rojo, whose touch was not entirely clean.
The boisterous Goodison Park crowd, scenting weakness, stirred.