The Match: Mersey Misery

Here’s our review of the key points in the frustrating 1-0 defeat to Everton…

The Match United had looked the likelier scorers with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck both hitting the woodwork but, instead, Bryan Oviedo snatched victory with only four minutes left and there was no time for the Reds to offer any sort of response. Tim Howard performed well against his former club, making one reflex stop to deny Patrice Evra before Welbeck could only plant the rebound against the bar. Just when it looked set to be a frustrating goalless draw, things got even worse for United and the gap at the top to Arsenal is now 12 points.

Goals David De Gea's fine save to apparently tip a Kevin Mirallas free-kick onto an upright saw everybody breathe a huge sigh of relief, but the agony was only delayed as Romelu Lukaku was picked out inside the box and his scuffed cross fell perfectly for Oviedo, who finished clinically.

Star men Evra was a force down the left flank, attacking and defending, while Marouane Fellaini made some fine challenges, particularly in the first half. Wayne Rooney was again at the hub of most of the best attacking moves but is now suspended for the visit of Newcastle at the weekend after picking up a booking.

Sub-plots David Moyes taking on his former club for the first time after his long spell at Goodison Park was bound to be the subject of much focus but Fellaini and Rooney also competed against their old employers. The real agenda was United bidding to go above the Toffees in the table but it was not to be.

Opposition Everton looked slick from the outset and are clearly playing with confidence at the moment. Roberto Martinez is trying to impose his own brand of football and Lukaku, who is on loan from Chelsea, was a dangerous outlet and focal point of their attack. The young Belgian even worried Nemanja Vidic with his strength and, of course, set up the winner.

Move of the match United probed down the right with menace and Rooney intelligently prodded the ball into the path of the raiding Rafael in the first half. The Brazilian's cross was perfect but Ryan Giggs' glancing header dropped just wide of the far post.

In the stands The whole ground paid its respects to Bill Foulkes, who sadly passed away recently, with a minute's rousing applause before kick-off. The travelling fans predictably jeered Fellaini's every touch and Moyes also came in for a little stick as well, and unfortunately it was that end of the ground celebrating at the final whistle.