, Osman (McFadden), Gibson, Neville, Fellaini, Pienaar, Jelavic
Some interesting changes made from last week's nightmare. We saw Hibbo and Sylvain as full backs. That allowed Jags to partner Johnny in the middle
We had a five man midfield. Phil just in front of the back four and Gibbo and Felli in the middle with Peanuts and Ossie the wide men. The Jellyman operating as a lone striker.
Everton certainly got off to the better of the starts in the early stages and within the first five minutes had two decent chances.
It was sloppy play that allowed Gibbo to put a decent ball through to Jelly. He took his shot early on the right side of the box but his shot lacked a bit of clout and it was easily saved by peacock head.
Ossie was next to have a do on the right side but he screwed his shot wide.
We were doing ok. Felli was playing as far forward as he dared and he was causing United plenty of trouble in the air with his knock downs.
Sylvain Distin had a chance at the far post but he couldn't keep his header down. And then Gibbo had a 20 yarder that flew just wide.
Everton were definitely the better side and just past the half hour mark our play got its rewards. It was neat play on right across the pitch. Gibbo played it out to Hibbo who threw over a deep cross that went beyond the goal. But Jelly headed it back over the very thin goalkeeper into the far corner of the net. What a header by the Jellyman. The goal was thoroughly deserved. We were better team by far in the first half hour.
The lead lasted 10 minutes when United levelled through the player who used to play for Everton. It was a cross by Nani that just evaded Phil Neville and headed into the net to draw the game.
United 1 Everton 1
United came out with all guns blazing and with 15 minutes we were 3-1 down. The first one was a shot from outside the box from Wellbeck. In the lead Peanuts was injured but the play was allowed to go on. There was an incident in the first half that saw Mike Jones stop the play when Evans went down injured. Consistency my arse.
United's third goal was a killer. It was a short passing move that ended with Nani clipping it over Howard.
Ossie came off for Faddy. And it was Faddy who fed the ball on the right to Hibbo. He hit a first time cross that Felli hit an absolute cracker on the half volley that the goalie got a hand but still had enough on it to to cross the line. 3-2 with still nearly 30 minutes left.
Our hopes of a comeback faded when two minutes later United got the forth. It was a one two between Rooney and Welbeck , that was put into the net by The Evertonian.
Even though we were two down we still pushing forward and giving it a real go. And with eight minutes later incredibly we got a third
It was a ball clipped in from the middle of the park from Phil Neville towards Felli. The big man made a nuisance of himself with Evans and Ferdinand in the air. The ball broke to Jelly and what do you expect from him, it's in the net. Cool as you like he strokes it home. Unfuckinbelievable. We were going for it big time.
Moyesy put Tim on for Sylvain, Phil Neville went left back.
A minute later we were level. Oh my God and what a beauty it was. Phil Neville got the ball off Tim Cahill and played into Felli who was inside the box. He turned Evans inside out and played it in to the on rushing Steven Pienaar. He slid in and put into the sack. I actually couldn't believe what I was seeing. And I am sure a peed myself a bit. What an incredible effort from the lads.
We had a scare in the 94th minute when Rio hit a half volley but Tim made a worldy and got us the point we richly deserved.
This was some performance from Everton, led superbly by star man Marouane Fellaini. He was brilliant from start to finish. He was helped along the way by Peanuts and Jelly. But today's performance wasn't about individuals it was about a team who needed to get last week's nightmare out of their system. Well played lads.
United 4 Everton 4
