Manchester United vs Everton 31st January 2009: UNITED CRUISES PAST EVERTON

Despite reporting Vidic as possibly injured for today's Everton clash, Alex Ferguson has included the Serbian in United's starting eleven.

United began the match confidently, grabbing the first chance on the 3rd minute after Carrick was tackled lightly from behind by Fellaini. This was Ronaldo's chance to take United 1 up but he hit the Everton wall instead. Tim Howard had an early scare when Park's cross-turned-shot was creeping into the United Ex-Keeper's right post. If Howard didn't push the ball away, it might have been United's first goal of the game that time.

11th minute - Tevez almost sneaked one in after some messy defending by Everton. Once again, Howard had to save the shot.

25th minute - The best chance of the first half fell to Ronaldo, with a sweet soft shot to the right post, which eventually hits the right post, hence a miss shot, but a great chance regardless.

A minute later, Ronaldo again gave Howard a rough time, shooting from outside the box only to have it saved by Everton's goalie. It was pretty much Man Utd with the ball possession and Everton with the super hard defensive tactics. But all the possession by United finally paid off. Carrick was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box and Ronaldo took the task of putting United ahead with a shot right to the middle, which left Howard with no chance at all. All these with 2 minutes left till the end of the first half.

Carrick almost made it 2 - nil with a superb low drive but Howard was available to keep Everton in the game. 9 shots by United against 1 by Everton sums up how the game carried out during the first half.

United almost had a penalty given again 3 minutes into the second half, when Carrick again was brought down. It looked way worse than the one during the first half, but referee Halsey waved play on. United kept pushing and Tevez had a great chance to add United's lead, but he sky rocketed his shot towards the stands. After 56 minutes, Neville made way to Brown, probably as a precaution by the Gaffer.

Ronaldo was given another chance to score from a free kick just outside the box, however, Tevez was the one with the shot which hits the wall and eventually bounces up highly. Giggs comes in for Fletcher on the 74th minute, most probably to freshen up the center of midfield. And freshen up it did, and it was enough to see United collect another win. Also, its now 12 consecutive clean sheets for the English champs.

With Arsenal and Aston Villa both drew their game, United go further top. If the Liverpool and Chelsea clash results in a draw, United will be somewaht beyond catching up for the rest.

Final Score:
Manchester United 1 : Everton 0

Ronaldo's Penalty Goal Video: