Report: Everton 3 – 1 Manchester United

Everton emerged as deserved winners at Goodison Park today in a match Manchester United needed at least a point from if they were to put pressure on Chelsea at the top of the league.

The visitors opened the scoring through Dimitar Berbatov early on, but Diniyar Bilayetdinov equalized minutes later and second half goals from substitutes Dan Gosling and Jack Rodell put the match beyond United.

The United fans started in good voice, before being drowned out by Everton fans claiming for every decision (presumably perfecting this technique at the dole office) and booing every decision that went against them. That’s my only criticism of Everton today though as on the pitch they were fantastic and were good value for their win.

Buoyed by the form of American loanee Landon Donovan and the recent return  of midfield maestro Mikel Arteta, the Merseyside team showed desire and determination to take the game to United from the start. They challenged for every loose ball and won the majority of them as United’s midfield looked sluggish and at times disinterested.

The opener came after Antonio Valencia drilled the ball into the Everton box and Dimitar Berbatov’s instant control and shot left goalkeeper Tim Howard with no chance. No sooner had United taken the lead as Everton fired back. A long ball was badly dealt with by Jonny Evans and Bilyaletdinov brought it down, used Wes Brown to block Edwin Van Der Sar’s sight and rifled a brilliant shot into the bottom corner.

This is usually when United pick up the pace and turn the screw, but it was the home side that finished the half stronger and the United defence welcomed the half time whistle when referee Howard Webb obliged.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first had ended. Everton were not content with a point and pressed for the equalizer. Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick struggled to get anything going in midfield, meaning Wayne Rooney and strike partner Berbatov looked increasingly isolated up front.

Paul Scholes and Gabriel Obertan were introduced after 65 minutes for Dimitar Berbatov and the ineffective (again) Park Ji Sung. Everton manager David Moyes also made a change with Dan Gosling coming on for goalscorer Bilyaletdinov.

It was the Everton sub who made the biggest impact though, getting on the end of Steven Pienaar’s cross to give Everton the lead on 76 minutes.

United launched a fightback but still couldn’t force their way through the impressive Everton defence. Rooney’s free kick late on could have set up a nervy finish if not for the deflection that took it narrowly wide, but Everton’s other substitute Rodwell put the game beyond doubt after waltzing unchallenged to the edge of the area and firing a low shot past Van Der Sar to make it 3-1.

It’s a big opportunity lost for Manchester United, and 3 points for Everton whose hard work and determination means they walk away from the game as worthy winners.

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