Source: Liverpool_Echo
Manchester United 3 Everton FC 0 - final whistle report from Old Trafford
Tim Cahill in action[LNB]EVERTON'S dreadful run of results at Old Trafford continued this evening as Manchester United moved into second place in the Barclays Premier League with a 3-0 win. Darren Fletcher's 35th minute sweetly struck volley followed by Michael Carrick's neat finish and Antonio Valencia's deflected effort in the second half, eventually broke down a stubborn Blues performance.[LNB]The defeat for David Moyes' men sees them slip to 13th position in the standings on goal difference behind Birmingham City and signals a run of just one win in their last nine games in all competitions.[LNB]Without a win in the league at the home of the current league champions since August 1992, Everton's task of overturning Alex Ferguson's men was always a particularly difficult one especially given the respective positions in the division and current form.[LNB]And although the scoreline reflected United's dominance in possession throughout the game, it did little justice to Everton's spirited display which restricted the hosts to few clear cut chances. [LNB]Injuries again forced Everton to play Tim Cahill wide on the left as they did against West Ham United earlier in the month with Marouane Fellaini once more asked to play just behind top scorer Louis Saha.[LNB]The only change the Goodison Park side made from the starting 11 who beat Gianfranco Zola's men on November 8, was Tony Hibbert who dropped to the bench as summer recruit Lucas Neill was given a starting place.[LNB]Manchester United were without Dimitar Berbatov and so handed former Liverpool star, and reported pre-season Everton target, Michael Owen a place alongside Wayne Rooney.[LNB]And in a quiet opening period, with possession dominated by the home side as it would be throughout the match, Rooney's every touch was predictably jeered by the travelling Evertonians. [LNB]After 15 minutes Leighton Baines had little room for error when tracking back to deny Valencia as the United winger latched onto Rooney's flicked header, but the Everton left back stopped the winger with a excellently timed challenge.
