Match report for the away defeat in the evening clash with Manchester United
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Darren Fletcher further cemented his position as the key man in Manchester United's midfield after helping the Red Devils to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Everton.
A stunning first-half goal and a superb all-round performance by Scotland's captain helped the Reds to victory over Everton and their biggest win of the season so far at Old Trafford.
The result took United to second place in the Premier League, although this was hardly a free-flowing display by the champions.
Everton's last win at Old Trafford was a 3-0 success in August 1992 - United's first ever home game in the newly-formed Premier League.
They had their moments but United always had their feet firmly on the control.
Fletcher broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. Neat work between Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra on the left ended with an Evra cross to the far side of the Everton box.
Antonio Valencia headed the ball back to Fletcher on the edge of the penalty area and he scored with a magnificent right-foot volley which flew past Tim Howard into the top left corner of the net.
The Reds had to wait until the 67th minute for their second goal and it stemmed from a wild shot by Wayne Rooney from the right side of the Everton box.
The ball flew across the penalty area to Giggs on the left byline. The Welshman drove the ball back into the centre of the box where Michael Carrick scored with a sweet left-foot shot into the bottom right corner of the net from 12 yards.
United made it 3-0 with 14 minutes left. Paul Scholes capitalised on a lucky bounce 25 yards out to feed Valencia on the right side of the penalty area.
Valencia fired in a shot from 12 yards with the ball squirming off Everton defender Leighton Baines and into the bottom left corner of the net.
Rooney clipped the top of the Everton bar with a 20-yard shot after 63 minutes.
Everton looked a better side after Yakubu replaced Dan Gosling at the start of the second half, but they found United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in fine form when he saved well from shots by Tim Cahill and Jack Rodwell.
At the other end, Michael Owen was denied first by Howard and then by a last-ditch tackle from Sylvain Distin. |
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