Everton rally to shock Man Utd 3-1

Feb 20, 2010 - 4:42 PM By NEIL RICHARDS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Supersubs Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell struck late on as Everton added the scalp of Manchester United to last weekend's victims Chelsea with a 3-1 win at Goodison Park.

Gosling, 20, had only been on the pitch for six minutes when he snaked out a right leg to get the decisive touch to Steven Pienaar's cross from the left. And 18-year-old Rodwell completed an unforgettable day for David Moyes' side with a wonderfully-composed finish in injury time after running at a tiring Red Devils defence.

United grabbed a 16th-minute lead when Dimitar Berbatov showed excellent close control before smashing in a shot off the underside of the bar. But Everton levelled immediately with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's stunning strike leaving United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar with no chance as it curled just inside the post.

United have now lost six times already this season: they were the last side to suffer that many setbacks and win the title, which they did nine years ago.

"We were well beaten, simply that, in the second half we were out-played," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said. "Maybe we left something in Milan in midweek (after the 3-2 Champions League victory in the San Siro), certainly there was a lot of tiredness in the team.

"It's a bad result for us, at this time of year you can't afford to have results like the one we had today. Obviously we hope others drop points too and that can happen the way this league is."

The Toffees, meanwhile, have won their last five at home and can savour only their fourth win over United in 36 meetings in the Premier League.

Everton can take even more satisfaction from the fact that his victory was achieved without two of their most influential players, Marouane Fellaini and Tim Cahill, who were both out injured. And they shut out former favourite Wayne Rooney, who failed to reproduce the brilliance that saw off Milan.

"It was a great team performance, and there was a great work ethic amongst the players," Everton manager David Moyes said.

"We're starting to get back to the way we've been for the past year or two. Now we can start looking up (the league table) instead of down."

Moyes also played tribute to his two goal-scoring youngsters. He added: "They've both got talent and great potential to go on with age and experience, a bit like Wayne (Rooney) at times."

Rooney revealed he was still an Everton fan last month, but that did not prevent the home fans from giving their former hero his customary hostile reception on his return to Goodison.

In fact, the United striker could easily have gifted his old club the lead as he clearly pushed Johnny Heitinga in the back as the Dutchman lined up a header from a Leighton Baines corner.

Fortunately for the England frontman, referee Howard Webb waved away loud Everton appeals for a penalty.

Louis Saha, who toppled leaders Chelsea with two goals on February 10, almost added to his tally of 13 league goals for the season against his former club. His long-range strike was hit well and bounced awkwardly in front of van der Sar, who managed to get his body behind the swerving ball.

It was a frenetic opening to the match and United drew first blood on 16 minutes. Everton had been giving Antonio Valencia too much freedom down the right and this time they were made to pay. The Ecuador midfielder collected a searching crossfield ball from Rooney and drove a cross into the centre which Sylvain Distin failed to cut out. Berbatov's control was instant and the Bulgarian smashed a finish into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Everton's response was instant and they were level inside three minutes. Saha headed on a long ball from the back and Bilyaletdinov smashed a first-time shot with the outside of his left-foot which hit the back of the net before van der Sar had even moved.

The home side had done well to shackle Rooney, but he should have put United back in front after 25 minutes. The England striker got clear after swapping passes with Berbatov, but his second touch in rounding Tim Howard was too heavy and allowed Phil Neville to get across to clear the danger.

Everton missed an equally clear-cut opportunity just before the interval. Wes Brown only saw Baines's cross at the last minute as it dropped over Jonny Evans and presented Landon Donovan with a gift-wrapped chance six yards from goal. The American, though, was caught on his heels and tamely tapped the ball back to van der Sar.

United were on top at the start of the second half, with Darren Fletcher seeing one rasping drive go just wide and Berbatov also going close with a flicked header.

But the decisive moment came 16 minutes from time when Gosling got on the end of Pienaar's cross for only his second goal of the season.

Rooney was inches wide with a free-kick and as United pushed forward looking for an equaliser they were caught on the counter-attack with Rodwell showing what a prospect he is for the future by producing a finish of breathtaking quality.