HERNANDEZ DOWNS EVERTON

 

Last time around, United faced Everton relatively early on in the season and drew 3-3 with them at Goodison Park. That later on in the season we beat them 1-0 at Goodison Park, part of a late winning run that secured us the title while Everton finished in the bottom half of the table. For the last time we did the double over the Toffees though, you have to go back to 07/08. Firstly we beat them 1-0 at Goodison Park and then we beat them 2-1 at Old Trafford with Cristiano Ronaldo getting both goals. Traditionally Everton fans were relatively friendly towards the Red Devils however that not been the case ever since former Everton assasin Wayne Rooney signed for us.

In theory, after United's biggest home hammering of the Premiership era, a trip to Everton was less than ideal, particularly for our main assasin. However the drive to get back ahead of City had to start somewhere, of course Fergie had some concerns about Wayne going into this Premiership match at Goodison Park but didn't think it was anything that the England international couldn't handle, team wise it was going to be quite an overhaul though. De Gea in goal and the outfield was 4-3-3 with Jones at right back, Vidic and Evans central defence, Evra left back. Fletcher, Cleverly and Park in midfield with Wayne, Hernandez and Wellbeck up front.

Well Everton had the first opportunity of the match but when they couldn't hit the net, United were happy to show them how it should be done. Evra crossed to Hernandez in the 19th minute who tapped it in to give the Reds the lead. After that the Reds could have got a second but the Everton goalie got in the way and then the home side went looking for an equaliser. However the Reds were able to hold firm and so came into half time with the lead. So far, it was going better than our last Premiership encounter at least but the home side clearly weren't done and a second United goal to settle the match sounded good - time to see what would happen in the second half.

Well United had the first opportunity of the second half but Everton were quick to respond and Jack Rodwell had a good opportnity to grab an equaliser for the home side before the Reds picked up an injury which was less that ideal. As the match went on, both sides brought on fresh legs and United once again set up camp in the Everton goal but were unable to seal the match. Likewise, Everton looked to have the last were but couldn't grab themselves an equaliser. Bottom line, three points to United, a relief given what had happened the previous weekend. This is not going to be an easy defence of our title but we're certainly still in the picture.

Elsewhere, Man City beat Wolves 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium despite the first half being goalless the Blues found their stride in the second half, grabbing two goals before Wolves got a pen and then City finished the game off with a late third. Chelsea were then beaten by Arsenal 5-3 at Stamford Bridge and that game was as nuts as it sounds. Both sides matched each other for goals with the home side initially looking like they had the upper hand but then a late surge from the Gunners gave them their greatest win of the season so far. That means United remain 2nd in the Premiership and on course for the Champions League group stages, five points behind leaders Man City and four points ahead of Chelsea and having to go via the playoffs.

North of the border, Aberdeen faced Rangers at Pittodrie in the SPL. The Dons certainly gave the Blues a match in the first half and though the visitors had their chances, the Reds could have had a penalty but the bottom line was that it was goalless at the interval. Early in the second half the Blues opened the scoring through Kyle Lafferty and then Nicica Jelavic made it two with a pen. Foster pulled one back late on for the Dons but they couldn't find an equaliser and were down to ten men before the match was out. The Dons certainly plan to appeal against the red card but still, Craig Brown remains in an optimistic mood for the season as a whole.

Elsewhere, Kilmarnock beat Heats 1-0 at Tynecastle with Killie winning the game thanks to a second half penalty with Hearts down to ten men for most of the match. Dundee United beat Dunfirmline 4-1 at East End Park, going two up early on and though Dunfirline pulled one back early in the second half, the Tangerines were rampant. Hibs drew 0-0 with Celtic at Celtic Park, the Old Firm side finding themselves edged in terms of opportunities on this occasion. That means that Aberdeen drop down to 10th in the SPL, four points behind St Mirren(beat St Johnstone 1-0 at McDiamid Park) and three points ahead of Inverness CT(lost 3-2 to Motherwell at the Caledonian Stadium).

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