Sir Alex: We Deserved Nothing

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to admit his side were second best in their 3-1 defeat at Everton.

The Red Devils edged ahead at Goodison Park through Dimitar Berbatov, but saw the Toffees hit back in style to take the spoils.

The setback prevented the Red Devils from reclaiming top spot, albeit for only a few hours, and they have now lost six times this season.

A draining UEFA Champions League contest with AC Milan in midweek clearly took its toll on United as they headed to Merseyside on Saturday, but Ferguson admits that can be no excuse for the lacklustre showing put in by his players.

"We were well beaten, it's as simple as that," he told Sky Sports.

"Second half we were outplayed. Maybe we left something in Milan, we looked tired, but when you are going for the championship you expect Manchester United to respond to the importance of the game.

"We started the game well enough but the equaliser galvanised them and gave them an incentive. The second half they were better."

Ferguson admits United are now reliant on other sides doing them a favour, as they look to secure a fourth consecutive Premier League crown, but insists the Red Devils remain very much in the title race.

"It was a bad result for us and at this time of the year you can't afford results like that," he said.

"We hope others drop points, and that can happen the way the league is going this season. Hopefully it turns out like that again. I don't think we will panic."