Manchester United 3 - Everton 2 - Report

Manchester United went top of the Premiership after a narrow 3-2 win over struggling Everton.

Sir Alex Ferguson raised some eyebrows when he released his team sheet. He decided to rest arguably United's 4 most valuable assist- Roy Keane, Paul Scholes  and Ryan Giggs. Roanldo, Butt, Fortune, Forlan and Bellion all started in their absence.

Nicky Butt took advantage of a goal-mouth scramble just after 7 minutes when the ball kindly fell to him on the edge of the area to slot home United's first goal of the game. 1-0 United.

But just four minutes later Gary Neville headed home the second goal of the game. No, not for United. A freekick from Gravesen from the proved too much for the England international and he headed the ball into his own net. 1-1.

Diego Forlan, who scored 2 fantastic goals in a closed doors friendly against Burnley, nearly restored United's lead 10 minutes later but Nigel Martyn's hands proved too big for Forlan's powerful header.

It was down to United's Brazilian World Cup winner to head United back into a well-deserved lead just before half-time. 2-1 United.

        Half-Time- Manchester United 2 - Everton 1

Just the one change at half-time for United. John O'Shea made way from the invaluable Paul Scholes.

Everton failed to attack United and cause problems in front of goal so David Moyes decided to introduce Duncan Ferguson and Francis Jeffers just after the hour mark.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved how much of a prospect he is when his fantastic footwork was too much for Everton's defence and set Bellion up to nicely tap in, or in the Frenchman's case- blast in, United's 3rd and final of the game.

The Toffees and United then both made a change of their own. Whilst David Moyes sent on young striker James McFadden, United sent on defensive-midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba to calm him down.

Everton went gung-ho and tried to get something out of the game- and it worked. Substitute Duncan Ferguson got the Mersey-side outfit back into the game. But it was all too late- United got all three points.

        Full Time- Manchester United 3 - Everton 

Everton: Martyn, Hibbert, Stubbs, Unsworth, Naysmith, Li Tie, Gravesen, Linderoth (Jeffers 63), Kilbane, Rooney (McFadden 70), Campbell (Ferguson 63). Subs not used: Simonsen, Yobo.

The icing on the cake was the amazing run to set up Bellion's first goal in the Premiership.

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