Everton lost 1-0 in a lacklustre display against Manchester United, as the result threw fans’ expectations into real doubt – did David Moyes and his men showed too much respect, or does the team’s ambitions lie in the cup competitions? Everton welcomed back Tony Hibbert into the starting XI, as Phil Neville was asked to provide more bite in midfield. Lee Carsley dropped on the bench, as did Steven Pienaar, who made his debut against Bolton and the Reebok, made way for Leon Osman. The match had begun tentatively, with both sides finding possession at a premium. Yakubu, making his home bow, asked early questions of Rio Ferdinand during the opening minutes. However, having out muscled the England defender, he could only put his effort wide of the right hand post.

United keeper Edwin van der Sar had almost nothing to do, save for the ongoing tussles with first Yakubu followed by Victor Anichebe, who made attempts to charge down his clearances. United first signaled their intent, as Patrice Evra, pushed up to left midfield, fired a shot into the side netting, after Michael Carrick’s precise through ball. Carrick was the reason alone that made United tick, as he worked well in tandem with Paul Scholes in midfield. It was not hard to see the midfield can sometimes be Everton’s missing link, as balls are often won and lost. On this occasion, even the inspirational Mikel Arteta was quiet, by his own standards. Ronaldo could have opened the scoring 16 minutes on, but after Carrick once again found him with a great ball, Joleon Lescott was on hand to clear the ball out for a corner.

Referee Alan Wylie incurred the wrath of Everton fans all afternoon, with many dubious decisions. The first one was to award a foul by Yakubu on Ferdinand, after the striker had seemingly won the ball legitimately. Worryingly, Everton had not got into their stride as United passed the ball around at will. Carlos Tevez had a weak header comfortably held by debutant goalkeeper Stefan Wessels, before he was stopped in the nick of time by Joleon Lescott, as he shaped to shoot. Wessels, making his home bow ahead of Tim Howard, showed confidence as he commanded his box well, until his clean sheet was rubbed away minutes from the end.

The first effort Everton had came on 25 minutes, after Hibbert teed up Phil Jagielka. From range, the midfielder could only blast the ball high and wide. As half time loomed, Everton thought they were in the lead as Leon Osman had the ball in the net, but the ref blew for an infringement instead. The warning signs had been there; first Vidic then Carrick hit their shots wide off the mark, as left back Mikael Silvestre had to leave the pitch due to suspected ligament damage. Both teams emerged from the tunnel after break, looking to continue the game pattern.

Yakubu had been a thorn in United side all afternoon, as he gave Ferdinand no breathing space. He teed up Jagielka again from range, but the latter’s effort went wide once more. In the 48 minute, Andrew Johnson could have ended his goal drought and gave Everton the lead as he headed towards goal. Unfortunately, he was to see his header cleared off the line by Scholes, much to Moyes’ dismay on the touchline. The fans were given a scare minutes later as Tevez got past Hibbert, but could only target the ball straight at Wessels. Much as the fans hated to see it, but the defence was once again put to the test.

On 54 minutes, Ryan Giggs got past Leighton Baines and connected with the ball via his weaker right foot. It looked to be on his way in, but thankfully the attempt flashed wide off the left hand post. As Louis Saha, who so famously scored twice at Goodison Park in that 4-3 thriller in February 2004, was warming up, Arteta tried his best to find a way past the United defence, but he found no change out of them. Moyes apparently had enough of the football, as he brought on Pienaar and Anichebe for Osman and Yakubu respectively.

However, just as Everton were valiantly holding out for a point, the sucker punch came seven minutes from time. Undeserved perhaps, but Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic got ahead of Joseph Yobo and Hibbert to power in a header of Nani’s inswinger. The goal probably took the sting out of the team. Scotland’s midweek hero James McFadden was sent on in place of Phil Neville for a last throw of the dice. He nearly made his presence felt with the only meaningful effort of the match for Everton, as he hit a screamer from the edge of the box. Van der Sar parried, and after Anichibe did well to hold off a challenge, the chance was left to Yobo, having taken the captain’s armband from Neville. It was not to be, as he screwed his effort well wide and onto the stanchion.

The outcome of the match actually flattered United, who never really got going until Vidic’s goal arrived. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen when Andrew Johnson can really break his coring duck. The 1-0 reverse left David Moyes disappointed, as he looked forward to the next match, against Metalist Kharkiv in the UEFA Cup. Jiing Yih, Singapore

Moyesy says: "I thought we didn't deserve to lose the game but if you lose concentration at a corner kick there is always the chance you will lose a goal. I didn't think much went for us (on the day). But we are actually getting better and even Sir Alex has already said we were unlucky not to get anything out of it. It was one of those days where we just didn't get the ball to fall nicely for us.

I thought our boys did very well. It's disappointing to lose a goal from a corner at any stage, but especially in the last few minutes. We've got a big week coming up with a UEFA Cup tie, so I don't want us to feel too down after this. Our forwards caused them problems but their defenders played very well."

Sir Alex of Manure says: " 'It was a great result. A lot of teams will drop points here. It was a real battle. (15/09/07)

* Free kick to United. Accidentally the ball is thrown at Phil Neville and it hits him on the noggin. He then lashes it back at Rio 'knob jockey' Ferdinand who takes offence, and he lashes it away. Yakuba them throws it back into the melee of manure players and it hit Scholes on the barnet, who looks less than best pleased. Keystone Copesque but quality stuff. (15/09/07)

* Tough one today, very much will depend on who is missing from our team rather than there's, which really does show just how far David Moyes has took this team. If Graveson, Yobo and Howard are fit then I think we will win, 2 - 1, Johnson and Yakubu to score. Fingers crossed I think it will be a draw otherwise which will put us temporarily on top with Chelsea, Arsenal and the shite all having difficult games also, who knows we may stay there, come on you blues!!!!! Oz Blue

* Everton to win 2-0. Forget Lavo's bet get on Lescott to score both. 200/1. Shona.

Tim Howard will be given until the last minute to see if his dislocated finger will stop him from turning out against his old club, so Everton new boy but vastly experienced Stefan 'Kepler' Wessels will be on standby for his first team bow. Tommy Grav is also on Basil's fitness table, but apart from long term absentee's Vaughny and Tiny, Moyesy's squad should be at full strength. Jimmy Mac will be full of beans and rightly so after his two superb strikes for Scotland in the last week, but me thinks he will only find his way onto Moyesy's bench, as will Stubbsey, Ossie and Stephen Pienaar. The Grav if fit should start after his substitute appearance at Bolton the other week changed the game in Everton's favour.

The Blues could go top with a draw, and it is always nice to see your club at the top of the shop even if it is only for a few hours. Hopefully Moyesy will have his boys fired up after last season's collapse at home to the Champions, when after leading two nil, we capitulated to a 4-2 defeat, that win for the Mancs no doubt went a long way to winning them the title. The Blues have only failed to score in one match this season, but on the minus side you have to go back to last season till we last kept a clean sheet. Can't wait, c'mon you Blue Boys.

Lavo's XI To Start: Howard, Baines, Yobo, Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta, Carsley, Neville, Gravesen, Yakuba, Johnson

Everton from: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Stubbs, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Valente, Arteta, McFadden, Neville, Gravesen, Carsley, Osman, Pienaar, Johnson, Yakubu, Anichebe, Wessels.

Stubbsey says: "Last season we should have beaten United at home - there is no doubt about that. We gave them a lifeline to get back in the game and gave bad, panicky goals away. This time around I hope it will be a different scenario. It is about learning from your mistakes and making sure you do not make them again. Whenever you play United, whether they are going through a good spell or a bad spell, they are always difficult. They have got world-class players who change the game by a pass, movement or a finish. And that is something that we have got to be aware of."

Phil Neville on Stefan 'Kepler' Wessels says: "I was speaking to Owen Hargreaves last week about Stefan Wessels. They played together for Bayern Munich. He came in for Bayern in one game as cover for Oliver Kahn, and he said he was outstanding, so he’s got a big match temperament, and big match experience. You know what you get with Germans, they’re class performers, and that’s why we have such a big squad this year, we’ve got such a good number two so that when injuries happen, we’ve got players that can step in."

Match Report Last Season v manure

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Disturbing

IF ANY EVERTON FAN WANTS TO WRITE A REPORT OF ANY OF THIS SEASON'S GAMES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO. JUST E-MAIL IT TO info@bluekipper.com AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE SITE.

AJ has not scored for the Blues since March of last season, and he is definitely due one, but he has become more provider than goal scorer of late. The Yak however is on offer at a tasty 8/1 for the first one in the onion bag, and he has scored for both Boro and Pompey in the past against the Mancs.

The will he won't he be fit saga is over, he has made the squad. The Young Pretender, can he be the worlds greatest, who know, but yes young Chris Eagles who netted last season at Goodison is fit again to face the Blues, oh yes so does Wayne Rooney as well.

Cristiano Ronaldo returns from suspension but Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea are out after picking up injuries on international duty.

Phil's Ugly Brother Gary says: "You could see in the last game the difference Louis made when he came on, and I think with Wayne coming back soon I’m sure we’ll get even stronger. We have to make sure we don’t fall too behind the leaders at this stage. Cristiano getting suspended obviously added to our problems," he said. "But I think it will all come together in the next few weeks. Hopefully we'll pick up the level of performance and get back to freescoring ways." (14/09/07)

Manure From: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Evans, Pique, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Hargreaves, Giggs, Eagles, Tevez, Saha, Rooney, Nani, Anderson, Martin.