Manchester United – Everton

1. Join us from 1245 BST for live text commentary of Manchester United v Everton, as the Premier League look to send out a message to Chelsea and Arsenal.

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2010/0908/waynerooneyevertondejection20100908_275x155.gif"><br> Wayne Rooney didn't play when the sides played out a 3-3 draw at Goodison earlier this season. But he is expected to start today.

3. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/910371/sir-alex-ferguson:-chelsea-bigger-threat-than-arsenal?cc=5739" target="_blank">Sir Alex Ferguson has dismissed Arsenal's title credentials and says Chelsea are now Man Utd's main challengers</a>

4. Some team news for you. Man Utd are without Vidic, but have Jonny Evans, Fabio and Darron Gibson in the side.

5. The man Rooney is, of course, playing against his old side and partners Hernandez up front as Berbatov takes his place in the stands as he's not even on the bench.

6. Everton are struggling with injuries and therefore have a threadbare bench. They leave Cahill on the bench and start with Beckford up front.

7. Everton are unbeaten in seven and have won their last two games on the road.

8. But United have won 15 out of 16 at Old Trafford, so it won't be easy.

9. In fact, United have won 12 Premier League home games in a row - the third time they have reached that total - but they have never made it 13.

10. United have a six point gap at the top <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables/live/_/league/eng.1/barclays-premier-league?cc=5739" target="_blank">of the table</a> and will be looking to extend it, as Chelsea face West Ham later on and Arsenal v Bolton is tomorrow.

11. Everton, for their part, are two points behind rivals Liverpool so a win would take them above the Reds. Europe is still a long shot though.

12. Everton have Jack Rodwell starting in midfield; a man that United have been linked with. £20 million might be a bit much, but he would be a top signing for the Red Devils if they could land him in the summer.

13. Everton manager David Moyes: ''We want to make it as tough a game as possible for United.''

14. Moyes has, of course, been linked with the United managerial post as well, but Fergie doesn't look like giving it up just yet.

15. Lovely sunshine in Manchester today, not a usual April weather in England so the players will certainly be enjoying themselves.

16. Remember, you can keep up to date with us on Twitter @espnsoccernet

17. 1'

    Here we go... Fergie is back in the dugout after his ban. And United kick off.

18. 1'

    Osman with a bit of space for Everton, but he overhits the pass to Bilyaletdinov.

19. 2'

    United in control and Rooney dropping deep to pick up the ball. Good interplay with Fabio there.

20. 2'

    Coleman foul and a good chance for Nani to drill the ball into the danger area... which he fails to do and Bilyaletdinov clears.

21. 3'

    Valencia brings the ball down well, but his cross is awful. Nani collects on the other side, but it comes to nothing.

22. 4'

    Interesting to see Fabio playing in the right full-back spot, and O'Shea up against Coleman on the other side.

23. 4'

    Rooney's shot is deflected, that was a wasted free-kick chance as it was squared to him.

24. 6'

    Baines now has a chance to pump the ball into the box - a decent delivery, but cleared well by Ferdinand.

25. 6'

    Hernandez picks up on a ball from Rooney and it cannons off Rodwell's behind. But the ref gives a goalkick after it runs behind.

26. 7'

    Rooney on his game today, lots of passion and desire to get on the ball, he keeps looking for a long diagonal pass.

27. 8'

    Everton have dealt well with United's attacks so far. They look composed on the ball in the middle.

28. 9'

    Distin with a great saving interception. Valencia lofts a throughball to Hernandez and the defender had to stretch to cut it out.

29. 10'

    Coleman swings a ball in and Fabio controls the ball back to VDS inside the six-yard box, who clears.

30. 11'

    Fabio went in a little too rash. He brings down Osman and it's a dangerous area to swing the ball in.

31. 11'

    Dealt with well and United look to counter again. They are so dangerous on the break.

32. 12'

    Hernandez is full of running up front, constantly chasing down the Everton defenders. Not used to seeing that from Berbatov.

33. 12'

    Valencia passes inside to Rooney who has space, he slots it past Hibbert to Nani. He cuts inside, but his shot is weak and Howard catches easily.

34. 13'

    Fabio, again, brings down Osman. He's going to be booked soon if he keeps this up.

35. 14'

    Beckford backing in against Ferdinand, but it looks like it's going to be a long afternoon for him as the ball flies over his head.

36. 15'

    Fabio is getting something stuffed up his nose. Looks like they are trying to flow the stem of blood.

37. 15'

    Valencia up against his old Wigan team-mate Baines, but the Everton man gets the better of him and blocks his cross.

38. 16'

    The corner flies in and Distin takes it squarely in the face inside the six-yard box. An unlucky deflection there and it would have been a goal.

39. 17'

    Gibson takes the ball in a decent area and has a shot from distance - as usual - but it is blocked.

40. 18'

    Everton offering very little in the final third and have not had much possession either.

41. 19'

    Valencia and Rooney combine well, but the low cross is dealt with well by Jagielka.

42. 19'

    O'Shea finds himself in an advanced position and has a chance to shoot just inside the area. He might have done better to pass... woeful.

43. 20'

    Osman slipping in behind the midfield, but he looks a little injured at the moment and ball cannons off his arm.

44. 20'

    Fabio outmuscles Bilyaletdinov and charges forward. They are 4 against 3, but eventually the cross is deflected and finds its way into the hands of Howard.

45. 21'

    Fabio up the other end now, clears the header before the Everton player arrives.

46. 22'

    Takes a knee in the back and his brother is now warming up.

47. 22'

    Moyes gesticulating wildly, not sure what he wants Everton to do, but I'd suggest they try and keep hold of the ball a bit more.

48. 23'

    Long ball looks to find Beckford, but Ferdinand is dominating him in the air.

49. 24'

    Anderson with a great ball through, Hernandez beats the offside trap and the Mexican looks for support but opts to shoot nearpost. Howard saves low.

50. 25'

    That was a good chance and excellent running from Hernandez. Haven't seen much of Anderson so far, but he shows why United value him highly.

51. 26'

    United trying to work an opening on the edge of the box, but again it breaks to Gibson and he balloons the shot wide.

52. 27'

    Hernandez's movement is causing Everton's defence problems. He's a real threat when the likes of Rooney and Anderson are on the ball.

53. 28'

    Beckford struggling so much up the other end. No decent service to him and when he does get a chance he's being tracked by two CBs.

54. 28'

    Anderson finds Hernandez again, but he's flagged offside. Replays suggest he was on.

55. 30'

    United are in no rush. Knocking the ball around with confidence.

56. 30'

    Rooney finds space outside the box and fires it in low to Hernandez who hits it first time. Howards parries away.

57. 31'

    Great football there, good build up and an excellent shot. Gibson though, undoes more good work by spooning a volley well wide. All he seems to do is shoot.

58. 31'

    Hibbert stumbles and Nani is away... Neville comes across and deals with the danger well.

59. 32'

    Distin is forced to clear well with a header, but when Everton hoof it forward they have nothing.

60. 33'

    Hernandez boosts the corner count as Distin needs to block again.

61. 33'

    Every single time Everton break, they lost the ball. They have had almost no possession inside the United half.

62. 34'

    Nani with some tricks to beat his man, but his cross is too low and close to Howard.

63. 35'

    Beckford goes down in the box under pressure from Evans, and looks at the ref. A few shouts from the crowd, but nothing given.

64. 36'

    Rooney looks to find Hernandez, but Jagielka comes across to snuff out the danger.

65. 37'

    Rooney has a pop from a long way out, but even though it goes over, it was considerably better than Gibson's three efforts.

66. 37'

    Great chance. Baines is outstripped for pace, Valencia hands him off and squares to Nani. The shot comes in and hits Hernandez who was on the floor in front of goal.

67. 37'

    That's as close as we've come to a goal.

68. 38'

    Everton just trying to hold onto the ball, but again when it falls to Beckford it is lost.

69. 39'

    Rooney breaks and has so much space down the right. The striker is caught between shooting and crossing and eventually just spoons the ball into a defender who had tracked back.

70. 39'

    Everton playing a high line and the pace of Rooney and Hernandez is causing them problems.

71. 41'

    Fabio bursting forward and tries to get on the end of a pass, Hernandez stops and the chance is lost, but he's been bright this half.

72. 41'

    A nice stat suggests only 6% of possession has been inside the United half this half. Oh dear.

73. 42'

    United looking a little frustrated as Rooney again looks for an opening, but they just have to bide their time.

74. 43'

    Bilyaletdinov shrugged off by Valencia, and he's been very poor this half.

75. 44'

    Rooney shapes to shoot, but then chips the ball in to Hernandez. The Mexican didn't move and it flies over his head.

76. 45'

    Just the one minute of extra-time to be played.

77. 45'

    Nani breaks but then loses his footing. It's been a little like that for United this half, just missing a final touch.

78. 45'

    <b>HT</b>. United are massively on top, but Everton have managed to keep a clean sheet. Hernandez has had a few good chances, but the Toffees will be very pleased if they can keep this scoreline.

79. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0423/waynerooneyanddiniyarbilyaletdinov20110423_275x155.jpg"><br>Wayne Rooney and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov battle for the ball during the first half at Old Trafford

80. <i>Mark Lomas in the office</i>: ''United should be ahead, but playing pretty well.''

81. Don't forget later on we have <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/293183?cc=5739" target="_blank">Chelsea v West Ham</a>, which is also live on ESPN UK at 1730 BST.

82. ESPN pundit Kevin Keegan thinks that Chelsea boss <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/910163/kevin-keegan:-ancelotti-can-walk-with-his-head-held-high?cc=5739" target="_blank">Carlo Ancelotti can leave with his head held high</a> this summer.

83. <i>Stat Attack</i>: 26y 240d is the average age of Man Utd's starting XI today - their youngest in a 2010-11 Premier League game.

84. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Bilyaletdinov off, Cahill on. Beckford off, Anichebe on.

85. 45'

    Some changes for Everton, so they will be going for it.

86. 45'

    <b>Kick-off</b>. Second-half begins.

87. 46'

    Anichebe immediately heads the ball on and looks like he may fair better than Beckford.

88. 46'

    Neville gets the better of Rooney in the physical challenge. Not often that happens.

89. 47'

    Fabio hammers the ball across and Rooney just fails to bring it down. Everton looking a little more lively, like they actually want to get forward.

90. 47'

    Gibson's long ball is headed away well while his back was turned by Baines. Valencia was lurking with intent.

91. 49'

    Everton have had more possession in the United half already, looking to string together an attack.

92. 49'

    Neville has been tracking back well and is showing more of a presence in the middle of the pitch.

93. 50'

    Cahill controls the ball on the edge of the box, but lays off to Coleman who blasts over.

94. 51'

    Anichebe's strength is too much for Fabio, but the ref took a dim view of the aerial challenge.

95. 52'

    Anichebe down injured, that could be a worry.

96. 52'

    Anderson releases Hernandez, and he checks back and squares for Rooney who is open! Great tracking back from Jagielka though, and he stabs the ball away at the last second.

97. 53'

    What a chance, Everton's defence has been excellent in saving the day so far.

98. 53'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Anderson crashes in on Coleman and goes in the book.

99. 54'

    United just looking a little rattled at the moment.

100. 54'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Cahill tries to close down Ferdinand but was late.

101. 55'

     Anichebe shows his pace to get away from Ferdinand. A great burst, and he's into the box down the left. His final touch is poor though and he goes down, no penalty!

102. 56'

     A better final touch and he could have released a shot, but he just stumbled at the vital moment.

103. 56'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> O'Shea off, Evra comes on.

104. 57'

     Looks like an injury rather than a tactical sub.

105. 57'

     United's fans are getting a little edgy now. A sense of tension around OT.

106. 58'

     Great passing from United again, and the ball breaks to Gibson who shoots on target, but finds Jagielka in the way again.

107. 59'

     Some dodgy defensive passes from the Toffees and eventually Rodwell hammers it clear. They could have gifted United an attack there.

108. 60'

     Rodwell robbed and Rooney slides the ball to Hernandez, it's just too wide of a pass though and the chance is gone.

109. 61'

     Valencia shows some quality to attack Baines and chip the ball into the six-yard box, but no United player gambled.

110. 62'

     Evra swings in a cross that bounces into the box. It's behind Hernandez and Rooney and no midfielder was arriving.

111. 62'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Nani comes off, Michael Owen on.

112. 63'

     A long ball from Rooney again to Hernandez, but the Mexican just fails to control it.

113. 64'

     Osman nipping at the heels of Anderson and the ref blows up.

114. 64'

     Everton's left side has been poor. Bilyaletdinov in the first half, and Osman now.

115. 65'

     Anderson takes control and tries to cut inside and shoot. He doesn't catch it right though and the ball trickles behind.

116. 66'

     A couple of tasty tackles in 50-50s come in, but ref lets them go.

117. 67'

     Osman gets in behind the United defence, but his cross is glanced on by Evans and he nicks it away from danger.

118. 68'

     Rodwell finds space and has a shot! It skids off Evans and is heading into the bottom corner...

119. 68'

     Van der Sar reaches across and just turns it wide. Great save.

120. 69'

     What a goalkeeper that man is. Any shorter though and that was 1-0.

121. 69'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0423/sylvaindistinandjavierhernandezmanutdveverton20110423_275x155.jpg"><br>Sylvain Distin has got the better of Javier Hernandez so far

122. 70'

     Everton now buoyed. They are still losing out in possession, but carrying a threat now.

123. 70'

     Coleman moving inside and Anichebe makes a good run. Evans almost lets him go and the striker is just bumped off the ball in time.

124. 71'

     Anderson does well to get the ball across, but Owen can't get on the end of it and it's cleared.

125. 72'

     The referee gets in the way of an Everton ball forward. Lack of movement there was poor.

126. 72'

     Evra running at his man and hammers a low cross in. Jagielka is there again to clear.

127. 73'

     Real pressure from United... Fabio gets a cross in and Owen hits the post! It was near side and just flicked it on, off the woodwork.

128. 73'

     It looked like it might have come off Distin.. but that was a whisker away.

129. 73'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Gibson off, Giggs on.

130. 73'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Coleman off, Guaye on.

131. 74'

     Everton struggling to cope here now, United are in full control and have stepped on the gas.

132. 75'

     United hoping Giggs' guile will make them tick as the game enters the final 15 minutes.

133. 75'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0423/nanishotblockedbyhernandezmanutdveverton20110423_275x155.jpg"><br>Nani sees his goalbound shot hit team-mate Javier Hernandez and stay out

134. 76'

     Giggs to Owen inside the box, he cuts inside and can't unleash a shot. When it runs to Anderson, his shot is weak and eventually cleared.

135. 77'

     Rooney's chipped ball in almost finds the head of Valencia, but Baines did enough to put him off.

136. 78'

     Jagielka goes in on Hernandez, free-kick, and it's a decent chance for a shot on goal.

137. 78'

     Rooney hits it and it's palmed away from the top corner by Howard.

138. 79'

     Rooney again has a chance to shoot as he's found on the egde of the box from the corner. But he drags it wide.

139. 80'

     Great chance again! Hernandez is in the way again as Valencia had the shot, then as the ball comes back in, Howard makes a great save from Hernandez's header.

140. 81'

     What a stop! Howard was five yards away from Hernandez when he got on the end of that.

141. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Howard booked for timewasting.

142. 82'

     Everton on the ropes.. Jagielka with an acrobatic interception again.

143. 84'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> Hernandez. who else? A cross comes in, and a header from close range.

144. 84'

     Disin was at fault, as he tried to clear but was charged down by Valencia. The cross was floated in and Hernandez gets his head on it, Howard was powerless.

145. 84'

     Not the tallest player in the United lineup, but his positioning was excellent. A very important goal in the title race, and that was coming.

146. 85'

     VDS almost closed down by Osman, but United should be comfortable now.

147. 85'

     Baines charges forward and tries to get an attack going. Osman and Anichebe combine on the egde of the box, but the ball is poked away.

148. 86'

     Anichebe trying to close down the defenders, but United are just stroking it around with ease.

149. 87'

     Rooney dropping really deep to control the play. He's just making sure United don't lose it.

150. 88'

     Everton chasing shadows. United holding the ball like Barcelona.

151. 89'

     Rooney gives the ball away and Everton can break. Terrible cross in from Guaye though

152. 89'

     Michael Owen closing down Baines as he tries to get the cross in. Good work from the striker.

153. 90'

     Five minutes added time. Everton still have a chance.

154. 90'

     Jagielka has a chance, but blasted it well over when the ball dropped to him.

155. 91'

     Game of head tennis outside the United area and Cahill has a chance when the cross comes in. It lacked the pace to beat VDS as it was heading into the top corner.

156. 93'

     Jagielka playing further forward, but Everton don't have enough of the ball to be causing United a problem.

157. 93'

     Valencia breaks and does very well, but Rooney loses the ball again and fouls Baines in the middle of the pitch.

158. 93'

     The long ball could not find Anichebe and that could it for Everton.

159. 94'

     Everton lump it up, but United are in control. This will be a huge win.

160. 95'

     <b>FT. MANCHESTER UNITED 1-0 EVERTON. </b>Hernandez's header put United nine points clear. United were the better team, but Everton had a chance or two to upset the applecart.

161. Hernandez was a threat all game and perhaps the scoreline could have been more if he'd not got in the way of the ball a few times. Everton offered little but a Rodwell shot that was well saved by VDS.

162. The game, of course, puts United in pole position for the Premier League. Chelsea and Arsenal still to play, but Hernandez has put his side within touching distance of the trophy.

163. <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/910445/matchday-live---april-23?cc=5739" target="_blank">Join us for the rest of Saturday's games now</a>

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