Everton recorded their first victory at Old Trafford since 1992 to condemn Manchester United manager David Moyes to defeat in his first game against his former side. A well-taken finish from Bryan Oviedo was enough to settle this pulsating encounter, leaving the defending English champions winless in three Premier League matches and way off the pace in the title race. Romelu Lukaku, who has been a thorn in United's side in the past, naturally created the goal, teeing up Oviedo to slot home from deep inside the area. United created enough chances - and hit the woodwork twice - but it was Everton who left the Theatre of Dreams with the spoils to move fifth in the table. The Toffee's had the better of the opening exchanges, with Lukaku looking a constant menace, dragging a shot wide of the target after four minutes and making some dangerous runs at United's defence. The Red Devils looked rattled at times, Kevin Mirallas coming close to putting the Merseysiders in front when he stung David de Gea's fingertips with a testing drive moments later. It took time for United to kick into a higher gear, but they eventually settled into the match after Roberto Martinez' side enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges. Rafael floated in a delicious cross, which Ryan Giggs could only head wide on 23 minutes, and Wayne Rooney then hit the foot of the post when he managed to squirm a shot away from the edge of the box, the ball deflecting off Sylvain Distin. United continued to grow in confidence, and went close again in the second half when Marouane Fellaini had a shot deflected over the bar. Everton though were continuing to hold their own, and when Barcelona loanee Gerard Deulofeu replaced Ross Barkley on 68 minutes, the starlet nearly made an instant impact, shooting low at de Gea. Seconds later another youngster almost got his name on the scoresheet as Adnan Januzaj, on for Rafael, drew a parried save from the excellent Tim Howard with a long-ranged strike. United then had their best chance of the match, Evra first seeing a point-blank header superbly kept out by Howard, before Welbeck headed against the woodwork. And in the end, profligacy cost the champions dear, as Oviedo collected Lukaku's pass across the area to easily slot home to end United's seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
