Given their dismal start to the season, no one would have expected Everton to have any impact whatsoever on the championship race. But if the last couple of weeks are anything to go by, the Toffees have more than played their part in ensuring that this season’s league battle goes right down to the wire. After completing a masterful comeback win over Chelsea last time out, David Moyes’ side did one better today, defeating the current champions for only the second time in their last 32 attempts! iSporter Praneet Mhatre reviews the action from Goodison Park.
Everton started with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov in place of injured Belgian Marouane Fellaini. With Nemanja Vidic yet to fully recover, United opted to start with Jonny Evans and Wes Brown at the back and the pair looked shaky right from the beginning of the game. Leon Osman faced no opposition as he dribbled his way past the United midfield and defense, only to fire wide of the goal. Former Everton man Wayne Rooney was expected to carry the Red Devils through, but he almost got his team in trouble in the 14th minute. The league’s leading scorer was lucky to get away with a push in the back of Johnny Heitinga in the penalty area.
However, the first half was essentially a tale of two terrific finishes. Sir Alex Ferguson’s reluctance to start with Dimitar Berbatov has prompted many to argue that the Bulgarian's lazy style doesn’t go with United’s fast paced game. But the former Spurs forward showed his class with a brilliant finish to put his team in front. Three minutes later, it was Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s turn to deliver a finishing master class of his own. The Russian sent a zooming shot past Edwin van der Sar, and even before the Dutchman could react, the ball was in the back of the net. Everton went into the break with the momentum on their side as David Moyes smelled another famous victory.
The second half set off with both teams cancelling each other out and the frustration was apparent on the faces of most United players. After a series of poor finishes from both sides, both managers introduced fresh legs on the field and it was Everton who got their noses in front this time. An unmarked Steven Pienaar sent a low cross in and substitute Dan Gosling did just enough to send the ball past the United defense. Sir Alex played his final card by bringing on boyhood Everton fan Michael Owen, but the Red Devils just couldn’t find an opening. Everton, on the other hand, started getting a lot of open looks as United continued their search for an equalizer. The match was sealed in the 90th minute when 18 year old Jack Rodwell went past a visibly tired Jonny Evans and scored with a neat finish.
With both Arsenal and Chelsea winning their respective games, this defeat has put Manchester United in a very difficult spot. Sir Alex had no qualms in accepting that his side was second best on the night and that the midweek game at the San Siro did eventually prove to be a factor. For me, the game also symbolized something strange about Premier League managers. While the likes of Ferguson and Wenger have reached legendary status, we tend to very conveniently ignore the achievements of a David Moyes, who has done a phenomenal job considering the kind of resources he has. That both of Moyes’ changes should work and Sir Alex be left helpless at the end, felt right in some strange way to me! (Angry United fans are free to disagree).
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