Everton vs Manchester United Match Preview
Everton striker James Vaughan has transferred to Crystal Palace on a 3 month loan. His place in the Everton attack relegated to back-up for Louis Saha and Jermaine Beckford. Saha, however, sustained a calf injury while on international duty for France and is doubtful for the United clash.
Granted, it’s a bit early in the season to start talking about league position but Manchester United is already jockeying for their rightful place. Currently in third with seven points United trail second place Arsenal on goal difference and first place Chelsea by two points. New signing, and charmingly-named, Bebe has been included among Sir Alex Ferguson’s Champions League squad of 25, much to Bebe’s surprise. We should therefore expect him to debut for United rather soon.
Everton vs Manchester United Match Report
No Wayne Rooney today, as Sir Alex Ferguson opted to spare the troubled star the abuse he was likely to get from the Everton crowd. Rio Ferdinand is still out of the United line-up too. With Louis Saha out sick Everton boss David Moyes somewhat surprisingly chose to leave Jermaine Beckford on the bench and went with Tim Cahill as striker.
It was a cracking start as the Toffees were clearly up for the match. Yet United nearly drew first blood when Paul Scholes’ 34th minute shot took a deflection that sent it goal-bound.
Everton keeper Tim Howard had committed to the original trajectory of Scholes’ shot and was obviously beaten, yet he took care—as good goalkeepers should when they can--to hang his right foot protectively in space as he dived. That foot stopped the ball.
Howard kept United out again in the 38th minute with a fine save with his hand. The Toffees counter-attacked at this point and Edwin van der Sar saved well off Arteta. The ball rebounded to Leon Osman who passed diagonally to Steven Pienaar. The South African side-footed under the big Dutchman. 1-0 Everton.
United equalized four minutes later when Fletcher got on the end of a Nani cross and volleyed home from close in. A terrific first half of Premier League football ended with the sides square at 1-1.
It was a different Everton that took to the field in the 2nd half. United controlled the Toffees and wasted little time proving it. Berbatov won a corner two minutes into the half. The corner kick was initially cleared but only as far as Scholes just outside the box. The wee redhead shoved the ball to Nani on the right and the Portuguese international’s cross was headed home by Nemanja Vidic. Everton 1-2 United.
Berbatov displayed sublime skill in the 66th minute when he took control of a ball over the top and ventured down the right wing leaving Sylvain Distin in his wake. He then placed a shot off the outside of his right foot into the far corner. It was a fine goal that could only serve to validate Sir Alex’s judgment in keeping the Bulgarian despite criticism of his performances last season. Everton 1-3 United.
The Red Devils were cruising easily toward three points and as the 90th minute arrived it seemed impossible that Everton could come back. But a 91st minute header from Tim Cahill brought Everton a goal closer. It was Everton 2 United 3, with an estimated 90 seconds left.
Moments later the unimaginable happened when a Leighton Baines cross from the left rebounded to Mikel Arteta whose shot deflected off Scholes for the equalizer. Everton 3-3 Manchester United.
Incredibly, despite United’s efforts to take the lead again an Everton counter-attack offered promise as the Toffees surged forward in numbers only to hear the ref’s whistle in mid-flight. David Moyes and staff vented their fury with referee Martin Atkinson but the match was over and Everton had gained an unlikely and thrilling share of the points.
