Man Utd 2-0 Everton

By Phil McNultyChief football writer at Old Trafford

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments634

Ryan Giggs

Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points with a routine victory over Everton at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side took full advantage of champions Manchester City slipping up at Southampton on Saturday evening to open up a commanding gap as they go in search of their 20th title.

United made few concessions to Wednesday's last-16 Champions League meeting with Real Madrid in The Bernabeu as a strong starting line-up closed out another crucial win with few alarms.

Real coach Jose Mourinho watched from Old Trafford's directors' box as Ryan Giggs scored for the 23rd successive top-flight season to give United an early lead and Robin van Persie added his 23rd goal of the season just before half-time.

Everton never looked likely to repeat last season's feat of clawing back a two-goal deficit to draw 4-4 at Old Trafford. That was a comeback that fatally damaged United's title chances but this time they never seriously threatened such a shock.

Manager David Moyes suffered a setback just before kick-off when experienced defender Sylvain Distin pulled out with a virus after feeling unwell in the warm-up, forcing the Scot to draft in John Heitinga after he struggled so badly in the 3-3 draw against Aston Villa.

United should have taken an early lead when the pair combined to open up Everton's readjusted rearguard. Wayne Rooney played in Van Persie, who rounded Everton keeper Tim Howard but proved his fallibility by striking the outside of an upright from the angle.

Everton did not survive a second time shortly after when Van Persie escaped the ponderous Heitinga in the area to set up Giggs, who scored from 12 yards via the inside of a post.

There was some hope for Everton as they enjoyed a spell of possession and Leon Osman brought a fine diving save from David De Gea with a 20-yard volley - but United struck crucially just before the interval to put the game out of reach.

Everton had played a dangerous game as Van Persie was caught narrowly offside on a number of occasions but there was no flag to rescue the Merseysiders as he raced on to Rafael's pass, evaded Howard once more and scored despite Heitinga's best efforts on the line.

Manchester United 2-0 Everton: Sir Alex Ferguson enjoys "good weekend"

The second half meandered tamely until the 65th minute when United's Jonny Evans was blocked three times in a goalmouth scramble, twice by Howard, who then saved spectacularly from Tom Cleverley.

It had been a relatively subdued affair but there was a burst of action as Van Persie screwed an effort wide at one end then Everton substitute Nikica Jelavic's low shot brought De Gea into the action.

Old Trafford was emptying long before referee Mark Halsey's final whistle and this increasingly looks like the weekend when United took an unassailable lead over their title rivals.

Everton manager David Moyes:

"It is only our fourth league defeat this season and I would say it is the only game where a better team has beaten us. We have got Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar, who we really rely on - and people like Leighton Baines - and we are asking a really big shift of these players because we can't change the team around too much.

Man Utd were better than us - Moyes

"People talk about Everton starting slowly and having a good half a season not a full one and maybe that's because we are asking a small number of players to do that for a full season. But these lads have done brilliantly and we are still in a really good position.

"If you had given me two draws against Manchester United and two points I would have said that that was good but we have taken three points off them so that's even better although we are obviously disappointed we lost today.

"I think 12 points to make up [for Manchester City] against a club like Manchester United is a big gap. Football doesn't always go the way it is meant to but that does look like a big gap. It is difficult to predict what will happen in football but it is a big thing to be that amount of points behind at this time of the season."

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634 comments

  • Comment posted by Abdulla, at 18:21 10 Feb 2013

    Ryan Giggs vs Manchester City

    Premier League Games: 651 v 608
    Premier League Medals: 12 v 1
    Community Shields: 8 v 4
    FA Cups: 4 v 5
    League Cups: 4 v 2
    European Cups: 2 v 0

    One word. Legend.

  • Comment posted by U15551420, at 18:22 10 Feb 2013

    A totally focused and very professional workmanlike performance against a very good Everton side. Couldn't ask for anything more. Extremely pleased tonight !

  • Comment posted by TC, at 18:14 10 Feb 2013

    An other win for Man U. As a Newcastle supporter it would be good if an other club could win the league but lets give praise were it is due. Man U are a good team as there results prove, how many of us would give there right arm to support a team if it was like them. To beat them you have to become like them.

  • Comment posted by M Fuller, at 18:14 10 Feb 2013

    Job done, good effort and commitment from United and importantly great support from the crowd at OT. Good to see SAF choosing a strong side to make sure today.

  • Comment posted by U15293856, at 20:22 10 Feb 2013

    I love the way RVP set himself up with a great through ball, to himself, after passing out of the defence, to himself, and bringing it out of the defence, by himself. Todays clean sheet was down to RVP, and all them goals he's scored this season have been all down to him too. He also scored the first goal, not Giggs , but don't tell anyone we don't want people thinking we're a one man team......

  • Comment posted by U15295319, at 19:56 10 Feb 2013

    I laugh at all these ignorant comments about Utd buying success. There was a study done last year which compared the net spend of each club against the points won over the life of the Premier League. Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool headed the list by some distance in points per £ net spend. Utd were about 6th just ahead of Arsenal.

    So get your ' facts' straight before mouthing off nonsense.

  • Comment posted by U14830870, at 18:38 10 Feb 2013

    How much ever I may dislike Fergie, I tip my hat to him. For me he is the greatest manager ever (Arsenal fan here). Always makes his team bounce back, and knows exactly what he needs to do. Simply superb, and Man U have showed that championship winning mentality time after time. But, I must add that Man City look a shadow of the team that won the PL last year. Disjointed and devoid of inspiration.

  • Comment posted by john evans, at 19:32 10 Feb 2013

    The only thing left for United to do in this seasons premiership is to win it by a record margin.

  • Comment posted by DaveEFC, at 20:33 10 Feb 2013

    Disapointed to lose but beaten by a better team. Good luck to Utd against Real.

  • Comment posted by stanlington85, at 23:19 10 Feb 2013

    Hating Utd for Dummies:

    1. "Rooney makes you a one man team!" (2011/12)
    2. "RVP makes you a one man team!" (2012 to present)
    3. "The FA doesn't charge Fergie's comments!"
    4."You win in Fergie Time!"
    5. "You don't nurture youth!"
    6. "You cheated to the league with diving!"
    7. "Real will murder you!"
    8. "You focus on City's results more than your own!"

    To summarise, points 1-8: ridiculous.

  • Comment posted by Guernsey Red, at 22:49 10 Feb 2013

    @357. ozzieozzieozzieoioioi

    Deary me, have you got tin foil on your head?!

    You're right, the same refs that helped us when Barry climbed all over that defender for the winner v Reading or for disallowing a perfectly good third goal at the Etihad for offside or perhaps yesterday when Yaya Toure didn't get a stonewall penalty against him. Maybe that brown envelope had 12k in! Grow up!

  • Comment posted by Marko, at 19:14 10 Feb 2013

    Wonder if David 'we'll be waiting' Platt has picked up on the fact that City are closer to Everton in 6th place than they are to United ........

  • Comment posted by SirMouseburger, at 19:02 10 Feb 2013

    If Man Utd beat Real Madrid over 2 legs, I will be interested to see what these naysayers will use as an excuse. It can't possibly be because Utd are quite good, could it?? I mean their previous 12 league titles have all been down to a mixture of luck, bribing refs, Fergie time as well as having the FA in their pockets, hasn't it?? ;)

    don't be so bitter lads, United are the best, deal with it.

  • Comment posted by redshirt7, at 19:51 10 Feb 2013

    111.tryataiwaneseok ........................Yep...If we win it we will gloat..We will answer all the inane comments from people like you. We will launch more kits that our vast number of supporters will buy. We will earn more and more money and pay off the Glazers debt and help us improve our team. And all these things will turn you greener and greener. Sounds good to me.

  • Comment posted by U7024821, at 18:27 10 Feb 2013

    The team selection says a lot about Fergie's priorities this season, I think. He's a pragmatist and knows that Champions League is a bit of a pipe dream at this stage, with the team he's got. His first and main aim right now is sticking it to "the noisy neighbors".

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 18:17 10 Feb 2013

    Well done United

  • Comment posted by U15538651, at 18:16 10 Feb 2013

    Mancini: "We only have a 10% chance of catching United"

    As much as 10% eh? 12 points to make up in 12 games - not going to say it's not going to happen, but it's a much longer shot than 10-1.

  • Comment posted by YAMS, at 18:13 10 Feb 2013

    Love it. Only the very best teams retain the title.

  • Comment posted by M Fuller, at 22:39 10 Feb 2013

    @333 2013 ? First football Club ??? what does that even mean ?? Bonkers mate . ha ha ha ha.

  • Comment posted by M Fuller, at 19:32 10 Feb 2013

    @96 Youneverwinagain And then Manchester council ask for their stadium back. lol

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