Everton 2 - 4 United …
Stubbs (11) Fernandes(49) / O’Shea (60) Neville (o.g) Rooney ( 78) Eagles (92)
A remarkable comeback from two goals down with just 30 minutes to play leaves United in pole position to claim the title.
United were breathtaking in retrieving what should have been a lost cause and will hope to carry that fighting spirit to Milan for their next must-win match.
United began looking like a team that had been taxed to the limit by the might of Italy in midweek. The team looked jaded and played with an economy which suggested mental and physical fatigue. Everton, determined and positive, sensed United were there for the taking and took the game to the visitors with vigour.
Star Trek extra Joleon Lescott should have put Everton ahead on two minutes but unmarked, failed to convert a corner with his fierce header. United were present if not attentive but it was still something of a surprise when Everton took the lead in the 11th minute. A grimacing Evra, looking for all the world like a man in need of a deck-chair, conceded a foul some 30 yards from goal. There seemed so little danger that United’s presented a token two-man wall. Defender Alan Stubbs was grateful and sent his howitzer free-kick goalwards watching gleefully as it was deflected past Edwin Van Der Sar by Carrick’s foot.
Surprised perhaps to have taken the lead, Everton then showed why they were beaten by relegation candidates West Ham last week, retreating dangerously to allow United to encamp in the Blue half. Yet possession did not mean prizes. Despite Scholes sometimes wonderful distribution and Rooney’s menace, United rarely looked threatening until the 36th minute. Then, a glorious, long diagonal Scholes pass to Giggs was volleyed directly towards Rooney racing towards the centre of Everton’s goal. The winger’s pass eluded the former home favourite’s foot by inches, denying United what would have been a marvellous goal.
Unusually, United were caught cold as the second half began and soon found themselves another goal behind. Manuel Fernandes, received the ball from Arteta just outside United’s box on 49 minutes and with Brown failing to get tight enough, quickly unleashed a superb shot which beat Van Der Sar high at his near post.
If the second goal flattered Everton, it galvanised United into greater effort and encouraged Sir Alex to dispense with a bizarre formation which at one time had Rooney on the left wing, a tired Solskjaer on the right flank, Giggs in midfield and Alan Smith in the centre.
United took on a more positive shape and pressed forward, gaining their reward from a fumble by stand-in keeper Iain Turner. The Scot failed to hold Giggs corner on 60 minutes, leaving John O’Shea to stab home.
United sensed that Everton were rattled and sent on Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been omitted due to a slight injury. Four minutes later, the manager’s foresight was justified when Ronaldo met a Carrick corner with a firm header and provoked a pin-ball demonstration in the Everton defence which culminated with former Red Phil Neville poking the ball past his goalkeeper.
With 28 minutes left, Everton were hanging on. United were now playing to a faster rhythm which disoriented the home side and eliminated its midfield composure in equal measure. United’s defenders were strolling as the match was conducted in front of Turner’s goal.
In the 78th minute, United’s endeavour was handsomely compensated. A dreadful clearance by the defender Hibbert found O’Shea. His right to left cross found Rooney in enough space to give Hibbert the slip and stroke the ball past the Turner. Bench and players celebrated wildly as Rooney, constantly barracked by the home fans throughout the game, kissed his United badge.
With Everton dishevelled and looking for the dressing room, there was still time for substitute Chris Eagles to capitalise on another flowing United move, draw the keeper and fire home expertly for an injury-time fourth goal.
TEAM
United: Van Der Sar; Heinze; Evra (Richardson 55); O’Shea; Brown; Scholes; Giggs; Solskjaer (Eagles 85) ; Carrick; Rooney; Smith (Ronaldo 62).
Subs: Kuszczak; Lee.
Post Script
Sir Alex: “Obviously, a five-point lead is significant with three games to play. The momentum is back with us now, though you can never count your chickens in football. Look at the way the game went today. I can’t explain that, but it’s football.
“I can’t explain the game as I didn’t think we did that bad but two goals from two great strikes - in football that can happen.
“The first had a bit of fortune about it, it got a bit of a deflection past Edwin, but the second was an incredible hit and at that point we were toying with the idea of bringing on Ronaldo - because he is carrying an injury.
“We decided if we get a goal we bring him on and we got the break when the young keeper dropped the ball and John O’Shea has taken it and at that chance I thought we had a chance.
“With Ronaldo coming across, their focus would be on Ronaldo - with Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Rooney and I think it was waiting to happen.
“Hopefully that result will pick everyone up, all the players have pains and aches - these players are carrying the banner for us - they are having to do it all themselves and it is great credit they are doing it, and that result today will give them a new benefit for Wednesday.
“The result is significant. We are away to Manchester City next week - in the morning after playing in Milan - and we know what that can do to players, it can be difficult and then we have Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - but I do think the marvellous attitude of the players and the spirit in the camp is going to help us.
“We did hear Bolton were 1-0 up but you are just thinking how we resurrect our situation and I was not really thinking about the Chelsea game I was thinking about my own game.He [Sam Allardyce] will be getting a hug and a kiss, maybe two kisses.”
David Moyes: “We are gutted after being two up. We gave United a great opportunity to get back into the game. Not only did it hurt us, it gave them a massive lift at a period when we were comfortable. Playing against a very good side, we did a decent job.
“The keeper’s error was a big turning point in the game. If we had lost to United with their style and attacking ability, which is fantastic, I’d have said, okay.
“But we gave them two goals. If United had opened us up and scored brilliant goals, the way they can, I’d be the first to say it is hard to stop that. But we could certainly have done something to have stopped those goals. The first one certainly, and the second. We let the goal come across the box for their third and the fourth one could have been avoided by kicking the ball up the park, not giving it to them.
“For me, the goals were poor all round. I’m disappointed we made it easy for United in the end, they got a slice of luck but it was down to that first goal.
“I do not think they would have got back into the game had it not been for that first goal.
“We lost the game because of our deficiencies and the way we defended at different time. Doing well for the first hour is not good enough - when you are winning 2-0 you need to finish it off. We have had a good defensive record this year and if you had asked me would we concede four goals in the last 30 minutes before the match I would have said ‘no’.
“But all the goals today were created by Everton for Manchester United and you can’t afford to do that.”
