United's Title Bid Dented By Rampant Everton

Everton delivered another twist in the Premier League title race as Manchester United followed Chelsea in crashing to defeat at a vibrant Goodison Park.

David Moyes' resurgent side came from behind, as they did against Chelsea, to deservedly seal only their second league win in their last 30 meetings with United.

Dimitar Berbatov's 16th-minute goal looked to have paved the way for United to turn up the pressure on pacesetters Chelsea at the top of the table - but Everton had other ideas as they took another major scalp to emphasise their recent improvement.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's thunderous strike pulled Everton level within three minutes of Berbatov's goal and both Louis Saha and the excellent Landon Donovan wasted opportunities to put them ahead but they were not to be denied as they more than matched United after the break.

It was Everton's two late substitutes who clinched the three points as Dan Gosling slid in Steven Pienaar's cross with 14 minutes left and Jack Rodwell made it three with a solo effort in the dying seconds.

Rodwell's moment of magic illustrated the talent that has made him a reported £30m transfer target for Sir Alex Ferguson - and the United boss saw what he is all about at close quarters.

Everton, with Leon Osman the game's outstanding performer, were afforded a standing ovation by their ecstatic supporters at the final whistle - and rightly so after they demonstrated the confidence to match, and better, United in all areas of the pitch.

And United States star Donovan, in his short loan spell at Everton, is underlining what a threat he will be to England's ambitions at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

Ferguson will be disappointed United lost the opportunity to make up ground on Chelsea but counterpart Moyes will be elated at his coup of beating both Chelsea and United in successive home league games.

It was a quiet return to Goodison for Wayne Rooney, although the striker came close to drawing United level in the closing minutes with a free-kick that drifted inches wide.

United boss Ferguson paired Berbatov with Rooney in attack and, after some early moments of promise from Osman and Saha for Everton, it was the Bulgarian who put the champions in front.
Antonio Valencia escaped from Leighton Baines and when his cross caused confusion in the Everton defence, Berbatov pounced to power home a finish via the underside of the bar.

Everton, who had been conceding midfield possession too easily, needed a swift response and it came inside three minutes, courtesy of a stunning finish from Bilyaletdinov. He startled keeper Edwin van der Sar, who was left motionless by the Russian's emphatic 20-yard shot.

Bilyaletdinov should have given Everton the lead two minutes later but he failed to find the target from close range after Saha dummied another dangerous cross from Baines.

And another probing delivery from Baines should have brought a goal for Donovan but the man on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy failed to react when the ball bounced off Wes Brown six yards out.

Rooney had been kept in check for most of the opening period but he hinted at his threat when he burst through to round Tim Howard but his touch was too heavy and the chance was gone.

And as United stepped up a gear after the interval, Darren Fletcher was only inches away from restoring their lead with a flashing shot from the edge of the area.

As both sides traded blows, Ferguson made a change on the hour when he sent on Paul Scholes and Gabriel Obertan for Berbatov and Ji-Sung Park.

Moyes made a change of his own, sending on Gosling for the tiring Bilyaletdinov - and it did the trick as he put Everton ahead with 14 minutes left when he arrived late to turn Pienaar's cross beyond Van der Sar and send Goodison Park wild.

Ferguson threw on Michael Owen but it was Everton who finished stronger and Rodwell crowned the victory by powering into the area and sending a precise finish beyond Van der Sar to end United's hopes of a comeback.

Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan:
"It's damaging because we lost points but didn't deserve to win, we didn't perform well enough. Everton deserved their victory.

"We were disappointed to get the lead and then give a goal away right afterwards. That's not what we expect. We didn't create enough or do jobs professionally enough.

"We weren't creating a lot but were still in the game. Their second goal made it very difficult for us."

Sir Alex cut a dejected figure as United were well beaten