Manchester United 1 Everton 0: Javier Hernandez puts Red Devils a step closer to the title

23 April 2011 16:38
Javier Hernandez headed home an 84th-minute winner to send Manchester United to the brink of a record 19th league title. [LNB]The Mexican had come closer than any other United player to breaking the stubborn resistance of an Everton side who could have had a couple of penalties and for whom goalkeeper Tim Howard was outstanding.[LNB] But additional heroic performances from Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin counted for nothing as Hernandez rose to meet Antonio Valencia's far-post cross.[LNB] Heading for the title: Hernandez (left) rises to nod home the winner[LNB] [LNB] The striker powered in his 19th goalof a sensational debut campaign to send United into the Champions League semi-final with Schalke in winning mood and knowing if they can avoid defeat to Arsenal and Chelsea in their next two league games, theywill surely knock Liverpool off the perch they have occupied for so long.[LNB] Faced with a familiar selection poser, knowing the following four games, starting with the first leg of that Champions League semi-final against Schalke in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday, would shape his side's season, Sir Alex Ferguson came up with atypical mixture of solid and experimental. [LNB]Jonny Evans was fortunate referee Peter Walton did not view his tackle on Jermaine Beckford as a foul midway through the opening period and Darron Gibson's normally reliable long-range shooting was way off beam. [LNB]Sliding in: Neville challenges Rooney (top) in a full-blooded encounter[LNB] [LNB] However, back in the dug-out after completing his five-match touchline ban, Ferguson could be reasonably pleased with his side's first-half efforts, save for the fact they did not actually score. [LNB]The time when picking Hernandez was viewed as a gamble has long since passed and predictably, the fast-moving Mexican was the hosts' biggest threat. [LNB]In Howard though, Hernandez was facedwith a goalkeeper who has special reason to do well at this venue givenhe enjoyed three seasons with the Red Devils until joining the GoodisonPark outfit, initially on loan, in 2006. [LNB]Talking tactics: United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (left) and First Team Coach Rene Meulensteen[LNB] [LNB] Ferguson's concern about the American had more to do with his concentration levels than any problems with ability. [LNB]And Howard proved his worth after 25 minutes when Hernandez was sent sprinting through by Anderson's slide-rule pass and let fly from an acute angle.[LNB]He's mustard: Nani (right) drifts past Everton's Seamus Coleman[LNB] [LNB] Howard plunged to his right to make an excellent save by his near post. The American's next effort was even better as he beat away another Hernandez effort after the striker had been set up by Valencia and Wayne Rooney. [LNB]Hernandez then did Howard's job for him eight minutes from half-time. [LNB]Valencia's superior strength allowed him to shove Leighton Baines off the ball and roll a pass back to Nani, who had already wasted one early opportunity by taking too long to decide what to do. [LNB]This time, Nani went for goal straight away. He would surely have found it too had the ball not struckHernandez, who had slipped as he made his way in the penalty area, and deflected harmlessly away.[LNB]Power play: Rooney (left) fends off Phil Jagielka [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] There could barely be any discussionabout who was on top. Everton manager David Moyes could take pride in his team's battling qualities, which were exemplified by the stoic defending of Jagielka and Distin, who managed to get in the way of an Hernandez cross that was about to give Fabio a tap-in. [LNB]Moyes had even more reason to admire the manner his side started the second period as United failed to rouse themselves. [LNB]On the run: Anderson (right) is challenged by Jagielka[LNB] [LNB] The introduction of Tim Cahill helpedand how Rio Ferdinand got away with shoving second substitute Victor Anichebe over when the Everton man had outpaced him in a race towards the United goal was difficult to fathom. [LNB]Everton's luck was also out midway through the half when Jack Rodwell let fly from the edge of the area with a shot that took a deflection off Evans and was heading for the bottom corner until Edwin van der Sar got the slightest touch. [LNB]So close: Nani (left) sees his goal-bound shot inadvertently blocked by team-mate Javier Hernandez (right)[LNB]The fluidity had disappeared from United's play, so they dug into their reserves of self-belief. Distin turned a Fabio cross onto his own post before the introduction of Ryan Giggs, then Anderson got no power at all into a 10-yard shot after being offered a decent sight of goal. [LNB]The hosts' momentum gathered pace. Rooney's free-kick tipped over by Howard. [LNB] Tough to beat: Distin (left) gets the better of United's match-winner Hernandez on this occasion[LNB] Valencia's thunderbolt cannoning into Jagielka.Another brilliant Howard save to deny Hernandez. Could Everton hold outwhen so many others had failed? Hernandez ensured the answer was ratherpredictable. [LNB] Ferguson applauds FWA decision to award West Ham stalwart ParkerRaul: Europe's leading marksman hasn't been to Wembley... yet!All the latest Everton FC news, features and opinionAll the latest manchester United FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Antonio Valencia, Alex Ferguson, Sylvain Distin, Ryan Giggs, David Moyes, Wayne Rooney, Phil Jagielka, Rio Ferdinand, Tim Cahill, Victor Anichebe, Edwin Van Der Sar, Nani Places: Liverpool

Source: Daily_Mail