Man Utd cruise to 3-0 win over Everton

Nov 21, 2009 - 8:56 PM By DANIEL ROSE STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Alex Ferguson saw Manchester United get their title challenge back on track with a resounding 3-0 win at home to Everton on Saturday and warned table-topping Chelsea that the Red Devils are in hot pursuit.

Darren Fletcher's stunning volley gave United the lead on 35 minutes before second-half efforts from Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia's deflected shot sealed a one-sided victory.

The champions remain five points behind Chelsea after their defeat at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago but leapfrog Arsenal into second place.

Ferguson said: "It was a controlled performance and we showed a lot of patience in the first half but got the first goal at the right time.

"I have always said we get stronger towards the second half of the season.

"If we get to the New Year and we are within a point or two points of Chelsea and around about the top of the league we have a great chance."

United were boosted by the return of defender Nemanja Vidic while Michael Owen was handed a rare Premier League start alongside Wayne Rooney up front but failed to impress.

The champions dominated possession early on but lacked any real cutting edge and it was Everton who forced the first meaningful save out of either goalkeeper when Louis Saha's snapshot was gathered by Edwin van der Sar.

It was no surprise when Fletcher gave United the lead ten minutes before half time with a stunning solo strike.

Patrice Evra's left wing cross was headed back across goal by Valencia and Fletcher unleashed a sweetly struck right foot volley into the top right corner from 18 yards out.

Owen passed up a glorious chance to double the lead ten minutes into the second half, latching onto Valencia's pass before rounding goalkeeper Tim Howard only to take himself too wide and firing into the side netting.

Marouane Fellaini gave the home fans a fright seconds later when he had the ball in van der Sar's net but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.

Van der Sar was forced to come racing off his line to save at the feet of Tim Cahill in the 59th minute as Everton began to pose a greater threat.

Rooney was unlucky not to make it 2-0 when his long range pile-driver shaved Tim Howard's crossbar.

Owen made a mess of another one-on-one with Howard in the 67th minute when by hesitating as he went to shoot and allowing Leighton Baines to get back and make a last ditch tackle.

The England striker's blushes were spared as Carrick drilled home United's second from the resulting corner.

Ryan Giggs picked out Rooney and his wayward shot went straight back to Giggs, who crossed for Carrick to shoot into the bottom left corner from just inside the penalty area.

Valencia wrapped up the points 14 minutes from time with a low angled drive which looped over a helpless Howard after being deflected by Baines.

Everton manager David Moyes said: "This is always a tough place to come but we did not compete well enough, especially in the first half."