United held by dogged Everton
Darren Fletcher is mobbed by team-mates after opening the scoring
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Saturday, 25, Oct 2008 03:03
Manchester United failed to cut the gap on their title rivals after a 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
Darren Fletcher gave the Premier League champions the lead in the first-half before Marouane Fellaini equalised for the Toffees on 68 minutes.
Wayne Rooney was hauled off by Sir Alex Ferguson before the striker was dangerously close to being sent-off after kissing his badge in front of the Everton fans.
The result means United are five points behind leaders Chelsea while David Moyes' men climb into 13th place.
Everton deserved their point after making a bright start to the game with Fellaini's shot deflected behind while Wes Brown blocked ex-United striker Louis Saha's shot.
In response, the visitors' best chance fell to Ryan Giggs who went on a 40-yard run before his shot was saved by Tim Howard. And it was the Welshman who set-up United's goal on 23 minutes with his pass finding Fletcher whose shot went through the legs of keeper Tim Howard.
Howard was keep busy against his former club, producing world class saves to deny long-range efforts from Cristiano Ronaldo and the impressive Giggs.
The Toffees improved after the break and almost capitalised on a defensive error by Wes Brown but the defender recovered to block Fellaini's strike.
And it was the Belgian who grabbed Everton's equaliser 22 minutes from time after he rose highest to head in Phil Neville's cross to make it 1-1.
Another defensive blunder nearly cost the visitors with Rio Ferdinand's woeful backpass seized by Yakubu but his shot was deflected by Edwin van der Sar on to the post.
Rooney was then booked for clashing with Mikel Arteta and responded to the boos from the home fans by kissing his badge, which lead to a lecture from referee Alan Willey before he was substituted for Nani.
United threw everything at Everton in the closing minutes and they came agonisingly close when Ronaldo dragged a shot inches wide, but Moyes' men held on for a vital point.