Everton’s Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini (R) vies for the ball during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north-west England on December 9, 2012. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS
6/10 31/10 42/10
Football fans can look forward to a Super Sunday night with a cracker English Premier League encounter between Manchester United and Everton which will be followed by the African Cup of Nations Final. United have now opened their gap at the top of the table to nine points over neighbours Manchester City. Everton lie in fifth place, only three points off a Champions League spot. These sides met in the first game of the season back in August with Everton recording an outstanding 1-0 victory. The Red Devils will be looking to avenge that defeat and keep City at arms length as they look to claim their 20th league title.
Manchester United collected another invaluable three points last weekend against Fulham at Craven Cottage. United won 1-0 thanks to a 78th-minute strike from Wayne Rooney, who is starting to find his goalscoring form once again after a spell on the sidelines with an injury. While the performance was an improvement on the dismal midweek display against Southampton, it still wasn’t particularly impressive. But Sir Alex Ferguson won’t be too worried, as it’s yet another victory for United as they continue their good run of results. They have the relentless look of Premier League winners elect at present. Since losing at Norwich City in mid-November United have dropped four points in 13 unbeaten matches. Over the last few weeks United have been stock piling points without setting the world on fire. Against Southampton they struggled to a seriously unimpressive 2-1 win, while on Saturday it took them 78 minutes to unlock the Fulham defence. It’s hardly inspiring stuff, but nevertheless United are continuing to get the wins and they’re continuing to put pressure on Manchester City. Perhaps the most impressive statistic is that Manchester United have never had this many points after 25 league games. This isn’t Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest team, but arguably his most efficient.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
Marouane Fellaini was the hero for Everton on Saturday, scoring twice in the second period to rescue a point against Aston Villa. The Toffees appeared to be heading for a shock home defeat, with goals from Christian Benteke (two) and Gabriel Agbonlahor putting Paul Lambert’s side on course for victory. Fellaini had other ideas however, producing a vintage display in the final 45 minutes that was capped with a towering header in injury-time. Victor Anichebe had scored the first for Everton, cutting the gap to 2-1 in the first-half, and Fellaini’s long-range effort on 69 minutes made it 3-2. An equaliser didn’t look like it would come, until the Belgian international rose highest in the box to head past Brad Guzan and keep the Merseysiders in the mix for a top four finish. The comeback gave Everton their 21st point from a losing position this season, the second-best Premier League record after Manchester United’s 27. With vital contributions to comebacks against Fulham, Sunderland, Arsenal, and now Villa, Fellaini’s been an integral part of the Toffees’ continued resilience this season. Everton are on an impressive run of just one loss in their last 13 matches.
The Evertonians will be hoping for a repeat of last season’s epic encounter, which finished 4-4 at Old Trafford. However, Manchester United have won 11 of their 12 home matches this season with that only loss coming against Tottenham whom they made sure of getting revenge over in the reverse fixture. Everton have struggled on the road winning only four of their 12 matches and drawing six. With Rooney and Robin van Persie set to start, United should continue their impressive home form with a victory.
