Manchester United 2-0 Everton: United go 12 points clear

In light of Manchester City‘s 3-1 demolition at St. Mary’s the previous day, Manchester United grabbed the opportunity with both hands as they went 12 points ahead of the defending champions with a win against Everton.

Sir Alex took the liberty to rest Michael Carrick for the Champion’s league clash along with Nani and Rio Ferdinand, making way for Phil Jones, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic respectively. Everton, who were coming off a thrilling 3-3 draw to Aston Villa, replaced Slyvain Distin with United old boy Phil Neville making a return at right back.

With the fixture being a special one in its own way, the match started off with the expected electricity from both ends. Manchester United finally hit the ground running, when Ryan Giggs found the back of the net courtesy of a Robin Van Persie assist within 15 minutes played. With this goal, Ryan Giggs has upheld his record of scoring a Premier League goal every season that he has played.

Despite Rio Ferdinand taking the evening off, the Red Devils showed some signs of defensive play, which was something the Manchester United faithful haven’t seen much this season. Phil Jones, who had pulled out of the international friendly against Brazil, was given the tough job of marking the Everton matador Marouane Fellaini. He however did justice to the job entrusted to him, a performance that will possibly earn him a start against Real Madrid midweek. In what seemed as a quiet first half for David De Gea after many a game since the turn of the new year, he impressed by stopping a stinging shot from Leon Osman. Tactically, Osman was unmarked in midfield as the focus was on Fellaini, the architect of their downfall last season. Having beaten Tim Howard and kissed the post earlier, Van Persie finally found the back of the net courtesy of a counter attack organised off an Everton corner, once again getting the keeper in tangles and sending the ball to the back of the net along with Dutch teammate John Heitinga.

The second half started off rather slowly, as Manchester United tried to break down the Everton defence. With fiftten minutes of the second half played, United won a succession of 3 corners, where Everton were saved by some outstanding saves made by Tim Howard off a couple of ricochets by the United players. With ten minutes left on the clock, Everton tried in vain to get some momentum going forward by bringing on Steven Naismith, only for United to bring on Chris Smalling to stabilize the defence for the remainder of the fixture.

With Ferguson persisting with Ryan Giggs in the first XI, Wayne Rooney showed why he is the jack of all trades by deploying himself in front of Patrice Evra. In remembrance of lives claimed on the 6th of February 1958, thunderous clapping engulfed Old Tafford in the twilight of the game.

Manchester United will enter the midweek Champion’s League clash against Real Madrid full of confidence, disregarding the presence of Jose Murinho in the executive box. David Moyes on the other hand will have an uphill job of rousing his giant killing team for the upcoming F.A Cup tie against Oldham.