Sunday February 10, 2013 Day 26 Finished Old Trafford

  1. Premier League - United open up 12-point lead

    Premier League - United open up 12-point lead

    Manchester United moved 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Manchester United
    • Everton
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+3' FULL TIME. Manchester United move 12 points clear at the top of the table and that could well be that. Goals from Giggs and Van Persie do the business.
    • 90+2' Little danger for United now, they have done what they needed to do.
    • 90+1' We will have three added minutes.
    • 90' Rooney makes an important clearing header behind for a corner, and when the delivery comes in, Neville is penalised for handball.
    • 89' Gary Neville makes Rafael MOM, not sure I agree with that.
    • 87' It looks like being another win for United as their march towards the title continues. Again they haven't been fantastic, but it's most always enough.
    • 85' A poor challenge from Fellaini into the back of Cleverley and that's a booking for the Belgian.
    • 84' Just going through the motions now.
    • 82' Smalling immediately makes an error, allowing Jelavic to take possession. He gets a shot away from the edge of the box but De Gea is alert to tip it wide for a corner.
    • 81' Chris Smalling is on as a sub for Evans.
    • 81' United attack again and when Giggs finds Van Persie he drags his left-footed shot back across goal and wide. You expect better from him really.
    • 80' Baines embarks on a good run down the left wing but while his pull-back is dangerous, Carrick gets a good header away.
    • 78' Stat from Infostrada: "Manchester United have, including the two goals today, so far scored 62 goals this PL season. This is one short of the 63 they had after 26 matches last season."
    • 77' Nice work from Osman as he turns sharply to lose Evra in the box but his floated cross loops into the hands of Howard.
    • 76' Fellaini - who has had a very poor game by his standards - fails to control in the box.
    • 75' The sting has been taken out of this game, though Everton are still attacking gamely.
    • 73' United are cruising towards their victory, and in all likelihood the league title. Remember, they will be 12 clear with 12 to play.
    • 72' Stat from Infostrada: "The first two goals by Man United today mean that they are now as prolific in the first half as in the second half of PL matches this season: 31 in both periods."
    • 70' A change for Everton as Steven Naismith replaces Mirallas.
    • 68' Baines breaks clear down the left and rolls the ball back for Osman, but Carrick makes a fantastic intervention as he takes the ball off the toes of the midfielder.
    • 67' Superb save from Howard! A corner drops nicely for Cleverley on the volley and he smashes a fine effort at goal! However, the keeper gets his fingers to the ball and palms it over the bar.
    • 66' Goalmouth scramble! Evans has a header saved from a corner, Howard blocks the follow-up and the defender then sees Baines clear off the line from his third attempt!
    • 64' Gibson has to make a clearance from the centre of the box as Valencia chips in a cross from the right.
    • 63' United fans taunting their visitors from Merseyside with some of the usual chants about unemployment by the sounds of things.
    • 62' Pienaar stands a cross up to the back post and Fellaini fails to get the better of Jonny Evans. Excellent defending by the United man.
    • 60' Stat from Infostrada: "The last time Everton managed to win a point in a PL away match after trailing by two goals was last season at Manchester United. Everton fell 3-1 behind but played a 4-4 draw."
    • 58' Giggs gets possession 25 yards from goal on the right and comes onto his left to try and get a shot away. However, his effort clips a blue shirt.
    • 57' And here's the Everton change as an injured Anichebe is replaced by Jelavic, who caused United problems in the 4-4 last season, scoring twice.
    • 56' United make a change first as Jones gets a rest and is replaced by Michael Carrick. He did a fine job against Fellaini.
    • 55' Howard put under pressure again, this time from Van Persie, but the clearance is more convincing from the former United No. 1.
    • 54' Howard is rushed into making a clearance by the onrushing Giggs and shanks it into the stands.
    • 53' Everton are getting Jelavic ready - that didn't take long.
    • 51' United chip the ball long to Valencia in the right channel but Howard deals with the ball easily.
    • 50' Rafael comes up against Baines and wins a free-kick in the battle of the Premier League's exciting, attacking, in-form full-backs. The United man wins a throw.
    • 49' No changes from either side though with Madrid on the horizon you imagine United might take off Van Persie fairly soon.
    • 48' Jagielka comes across to tidy up for Everton as United try to probe almost from the off.
    • 46' KICK OFF!
    • - Time to kill at half-time? Why not follow me on Twitter. Go on. Follow Tom Adams (@tomEurosport) on Twitter
    • 45+3' HALF TIME. Van Persie, as always, the difference between the two sides but Everton have had chances of their own.
    • 45+2' A goal and an assist for Van Persie then. He just never stops contributing in front of goal.
    • 45+1' GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Everton! Van Persie scores this time! Everton are playing a very high line and Rafael plays a lovely pass through for the striker, who rounds Howard, takes a touch and then scores with his right foot despite Heitinga's best efforts to keep it out.
    • 44' Rafael and then Evra deliver crosses from wide areas but Everton manage to avert any real danger.
    • 43' Everton have been pretty impressive in the last 20 minutes or so - at both ends.
    • 42' Heitinga makes an important intervention to take the ball away from Van Persie in the box. That's better from Everton's Dutchman.
    • 42' Fellaini gets his head to Mirallas's free-kick but De Gea punches clear. As Everton advance again, Osman rifles a shot wide of the far post on the bounce.
    • 41' Referee Mark Halsey has words with Rooney to calm him down after he reacts angrily to being penalised for a foul on Neville near the byline.
    • 40' Anichebe can't control on the edge of the box this time as a square pass is poked to him.
    • 39' Darron Gibson clears well at the near post though as United fail to take advantage of the corner.
    • 38' Mirallas is cautioned for a really poor challenge on Cleverley.
    • 37' That's a few times now Anichebe hasn't quite had the quality to punish United, and this with Nikica Jelavic on the bench of course.
    • 36' BIG CHANCE FOR EVERTON! Fellaini plays in Mirallas in loads of space and the forward plays a square pass for Anichebe, who can't quite bring the ball under control with his back to goal. Rafael races in to stick in his boot and stop the striker shooting from 10 yards out.
    • 34' A slightly fallow period in the game but United continue to remain in control of this contest.
    • 32' Anichebe takes possession in the box and tries to work a shot, but he can't find the necessary space.
    • 31' Jagielka deals well with a straight ball down the middle of the park as he heads back to Howard under pressure from Rooney.
    • 30' United under pressure from the corner as Fellaini tries to get his head to the ball. It bounces out for Pienaar but his shot is blocked by the sliding Vidic.
    • 29' Pienaar spots Rooney taking a heavy touch and races in to dispossess him, poking the pass out wide to Baines.
    • 28' Pienaar spots Rooney taking a heavy touch and races in to dispossess him, poking the pass out wide to Baines.
    • 27' United have negated the threat of Fellaini pretty well today and Jones has had a big part in that. Doing so was crucial after the beasting he gave them on the opening match of the season.
    • 26' A good tussle between Anichebe and Vidic and the striker is angry not to be given a free-kick on the edge of the box.
    • 24' Everton pump a high ball into the box and Fellaini gets his head to it, but Leon Osman can't get any power behind the ball as he connects with a volley on the turn.
    • 23' Stat from Infostrada: "Giggs scored his seventh PL goal against Everton. Only against Tottenham (10) has he scored more often in the league. He has also netted seven times against Middlesbrough and Southampton."
    • 22' Van Persie produces a lovely piece of control and then plays a nice pass in behind the Everton defence for Valencia to run onto. However, Phil Jagielka is alert and comes across to deal with it.
    • 21' United have been very impressive so far: their passing is crisp and their play energetic. Remember, if they win today they are 12 points clear and can start planning an open-top bus ride.
    • 20' Fellaini has come out to the Everton left to see if he can get any joy with Rafael. The Brazilian has had a fine season though so won't be too fazed.
    • 19' United switch the ball to Valencia on the right wing and he in turn finds Jones inside. The defender-cum-midfielder lets fly from 20 yards but digs under the ball and sends it high over the bar.
    • 17' Stat from Infostrada: "Sir Alex Ferguson has won 32 of 52 league matches against Everton (9 defeats). He has won 17 of 26 home league matches against them, losing three times."
    • 16' Oh dear. Phil Neville with a shocker of a foul throw. He often has a nightmare against his former side.
    • 15' Heitinga looked like the weak link prior to kick-off and so it proved. He should have dealt far better with Van Persie when Evra nodded the ball into the box.
    • 14' What an achievement for Giggs. He hasn't had a great season in truth but he certainly has an enduring value.
    • 13' GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Everton! Ryan Giggs opens the scoring as he nets for the 23rd league season in succession. Poor defending from Heitinga as he allows Van Persie to get away from him in the box and the Dutchman finds Giggs, who steadies himself and steers the ball home off the inside of the post.
    • 11' Van Persie calls his right leg his 'chocolate leg' and his ability certainly melted away rather dramatically there.
    • 10' BIG MISS FROM VAN PERSIE! Rafael with a neat touch to play in Rooney and he then slips in Van Persie to the right of the box. He takes the ball around Howard and has only to finish from a tight-ish angle, but the striker wafts the ball against the post. Not good.
    • 9' Stat from Opta: "Manchester United have scored the most headed goals in the top flight this season (13) while Everton have conceded the most (12)."
    • 8' Phil Jones has been given a brief to follow Fellaini today and he is operating very much as the Belgian's shadow. It's clearly a sound strategy.
    • 7' Victor Anichebe stumbles at the crucial moment in the box as Everton threaten again. A bright start from the visitors.
    • 6' The corner is headed back out to Leighton Baines and he then pops a short pass in for Pienaar who has two quick shots blocked. As United try to break, Heitinga steps up to catch Antonio Valencia offside.
    • 5' Everton win their first corner of the game...
    • 4' Rafael spots a quick pass into Rooney and the striker the curls a first-time effort wide of the near post as he tries to score against his former side early in proceedings.
    • 3' Tim Howard comes to punch from two early crosses as he has a nervy start to his return to his former club.
    • 2' Steven Pienaar is unexpectedly playing on the right, with Kevin Mirallas going up against Rafael on the United right.
    • 1' KICK OFF! United attacking left to right.
    • 15:00 Old Trafford unfurls a huge banner paying tribute to those who died in the Munich disaster of 1958 as the two teams come out onto the pitch. It's 55 years since that terrible day.
    • 14:55 There's been a late change to the Everton line-up with Sylvain Distin injuring himself in the warm-up and the out of form Johnny Heitinga taking his place.
    • 14:50 And a final stat on Wayne Rooney, whose form against former club Everton has been a little iffy over the years: Rooney has scored eight goals in his last seven Premier League appearances and has scored or assisted 17 goals in 17 Premier League apps overall this term.
    • 14:45 More stats from Opta: The Toffees have scored the highest proportion of first half goals of any team in the top division this season (58%). Everton have also been susceptible to conceding early with a league-high 30% of goals conceded being shipped in the opening 15 minutes.
    • 14:45 Stats from Opta: Manchester United have recovered more points from losing positions than any other team in the top flight this season (27). Manchester United have scored the most headed goals in the top flight this season (13) while Everton have conceded the most (12).
    • 14:40 That link to Rogerio Ceni's goal? Just for fun. It's a goalkeeper scoring a free-kick - what's not to like?
    • 14:35 Goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni scores free-kick
    • 14:35 It's full-time at Villa Park, where Aston Villa have climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win over West Ham in the early Premier League game. Aston Villa v West Ham United: Matchcast
    • 14:30 As for Everton - they welcome Marouane Fellaini back after his hip injury, while Victor Anichebe continues to be preferred to Nikica Jelavic up front. Ex-United players Tim Howard, Phil Neville and Darron Gibson all in the starting XI.
    • 14:30 Every indication, then, that Ferguson is determined to go 12 points clear today and put the Premier League title to bed as soon as possible. What this means for his side's freshness on Wednesday, we will wait and see.
    • 14:25 Fergie's done it again! Having said on Friday he was considering resting 10 or 11 players ahead of Wednesday's Champions League trip to Real Madrid, he actually fields a virtually full-strength side.
    • 14:20 TEAMS - MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Jones, Cleverley, Giggs; Rooney, van Persie... Subs: Amos, Smalling, Ando, Chicharito, Carrick, Nani, Welbeck. // EVERTON: Man Utd: Howard, Neville, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Anichebe, Mirallas, Gibson... Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Stones.
    • 14:15 Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Premier League game between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford!

  • Summary

    • 82' Smalling immediately makes an error, allowing Jelavic to take possession. He gets a shot away from the edge of the box but De Gea is alert to tip it wide for a corner.
    • 81' United attack again and when Giggs finds Van Persie he drags his left-footed shot back across goal and wide. You expect better from him really.
    • 68' Baines breaks clear down the left and rolls the ball back for Osman, but Carrick makes a fantastic intervention as he takes the ball off the toes of the midfielder.
    • 67' Superb save from Howard! A corner drops nicely for Cleverley on the volley and he smashes a fine effort at goal! However, the keeper gets his fingers to the ball and palms it over the bar.
    • 66' Goalmouth scramble! Evans has a header saved from a corner, Howard blocks the follow-up and the defender then sees Baines clear off the line from his third attempt!
    • 45+1' GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Everton! Van Persie scores this time! Everton are playing a very high line and Rafael plays a lovely pass through for the striker, who rounds Howard, takes a touch and then scores with his right foot despite Heitinga's best efforts to keep it out.
    • 36' BIG CHANCE FOR EVERTON! Fellaini plays in Mirallas in loads of space and the forward plays a square pass for Anichebe, who can't quite bring the ball under control with his back to goal. Rafael races in to stick in his boot and stop the striker shooting from 10 yards out.
    • 29' Pienaar spots Rooney taking a heavy touch and races in to dispossess him, poking the pass out wide to Baines.
    • 24' Everton pump a high ball into the box and Fellaini gets his head to it, but Leon Osman can't get any power behind the ball as he connects with a volley on the turn.
    • 19' United switch the ball to Valencia on the right wing and he in turn finds Jones inside. The defender-cum-midfielder lets fly from 20 yards but digs under the ball and sends it high over the bar.
    • 13' GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Everton! Ryan Giggs opens the scoring as he nets for the 23rd league season in succession. Poor defending from Heitinga as he allows Van Persie to get away from him in the box and the Dutchman finds Giggs, who steadies himself and steers the ball home off the inside of the post.
    • 10' BIG MISS FROM VAN PERSIE! Rafael with a neat touch to play in Rooney and he then slips in Van Persie to the right of the box. He takes the ball around Howard and has only to finish from a tight-ish angle, but the striker wafts the ball against the post. Not good.
    • 6' The corner is headed back out to Leighton Baines and he then pops a short pass in for Pienaar who has two quick shots blocked. As United try to break, Heitinga steps up to catch Antonio Valencia offside.
    • 14:20 TEAMS - MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Jones, Cleverley, Giggs; Rooney, van Persie... Subs: Amos, Smalling, Ando, Chicharito, Carrick, Nani, Welbeck. // EVERTON: Man Utd: Howard, Neville, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Osman, Fellaini, Pienaar, Anichebe, Mirallas, Gibson... Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Stones.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.7 7
      Defenders
      6.8 8
      7.1 7
      Substitution Out81′ 6.5 8
      6.4 7
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out56′ 6.4 8
      6.4 6
      6.3 6
      Goal 7.1 7
      Strikers
      6.9 7
      Goal 7.6 8
      Subs
      Substitution In56′ 6.2 7
      Substitution In81′ 5.7 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.7 7
      Defenders
      4.9 6
      5 7
      4.7 5
      5.3 6
      Midfielders
      4.9 6
      5.2 7
      Yellow Card Substitution Out69′ 4.7 6
      5 6
      Strikers
      Yellow Card 5.7 5
      Substitution Out57′ 4.5 5
      Subs
      Substitution In69′ 4 5
      Substitution In57′ 5.6 6

Comment 196 - 216 of 216

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  1. Manchester United on top always

    From Lekan Adeyemi, on Sun 17 Feb 14:13

  2. OMG man shity hahahahahaha we are 15 points ahead­ now!!!!! hahahahaha OMG I am gonna die laughing

    From ,, on Tue 12 Feb 20:49

  3. Man Utd keep winning the rest keep losing i dont care. ­ I also think we will give Madrid a game on wednesday­ Jones will mark ron out of the game the same way­ fellini

    From keith j, on Mon 11 Feb 19:29

  4. Fergie knows what he wants. Apparently by buying RVP­ from Arsenal he not only signed a best striker in­ England but touched a trophy already then in summer­ 2012.

    From Roxana, on Mon 11 Feb 15:40

  5. If united get beat so what get a life you sad low­ lifes i just cant understand why so called fans sing­ about the dead you must be sick in your head

    From ALAN B, on Mon 11 Feb 8:36

  6. 216 comment from mike yes me im from manchester ancoats­ and yes im a red M U F C FOR LIFE

    From ALAN B, on Mon 11 Feb 8:28

  7. 217, Mike has no base just like his plastic club Man­ City or Chelsea that don't have foundation or­ direction, not to talk of managers that will win them­ trophes. The more you hate man U the more your soul is­ in trouble, because you will always be troubled within­ you which is not good for your health.

    From Bobby, on Mon 11 Feb 8:00

  8. Most of chelsea and man city fans don't even know­ the location of their club house, city or where the­ Standford bridge is. Football is fun so stop the hate­ of Man U it will do u people more good.

    From Bobby, on Mon 11 Feb 7:54

  9. Is it all the people supporting plastic chelsea that­ are from Standford bridge? Most of them don't even­ know their club house location, let it then be their­ stadium. champion of europe that were at the bottom of­ the champions league table.

    From Bobby, on Mon 11 Feb 7:48

  10. A tragic slide on the table, desperate farewell with­ Champions League and lagging behind opponents. Everton­ must appear braver. When we miss points both at home­ and abroad, lower-ranked teams overtake us.

    From Amir, on Mon 11 Feb 5:58

  11. 217 Mike, What's your point? Do you have to be­ from Manchester to appreciate a great club?

    From Vidic wasn't offside, on Mon 11 Feb 5:09

  12. giggsy still doin the buiss

    From PAUL, on Mon 11 Feb 3:45

  13. SOME REALLY SICK BAS@@DS IN HERE

    From ALAN B, on Mon 11 Feb 0:03

  14. First time on this site...most of you couldn't find­ Manchester on a map let alone Old Trafford! For the­ real Man U fans...fully deserved today

    From malcolm, on Sun 10 Feb 23:11
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    "Gary Neville makes Rafael 'Man of the­ Match', not sure I agree with that." ­ That's because Gary Neville is a stupid­ ¢|_||\|7

    From BeatSteaks, on Sun 10 Feb 19:54
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    are their any united fans here from the city of­ Manchester????????????????

    From Mike, on Sun 10 Feb 19:10

  17. sx

    From , on Sun 10 Feb 18:53

  18. Well done Manchester United,The Reds go Marching on.

    From Jane Maskell, on Sun 10 Feb 18:48

  19. al.....Manchester United win everything do­ they?.....Good side though they are (very good) Wayne­ Rooney has never been an FA Cup winner

    From Raymond, on Sun 10 Feb 18:42

  20. I really think that Man U are the best and Ferge did­ the best thing today to put on his best team to­ distance Man U from Man City now the team and manager­ can partly relax in the England cames and now set their­ sights on Madrid. John Crompton Saudi Arabia

    From John & Isabella, on Sun 10 Feb 18:39
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