Everton 1 Manchester United 0: Fellaini's head start - Everton's top gun upstages RVP to shock United
Posted Tuesday, August 21, 2012 by Dailymail
Robin van Persie says he came to Manchester United to win trophies. On Monday night an enthralling performance from Everton — and in particular their powerful forward Marouane Fellaini — ensured the Holland striker will have to wait a week longer to win his first game.
First and foremost, Van Persie will hope he is in the team for United’s home game against Fulham.
Last night the £24million signing from Arsenal spent 68 minutes on the bench. Having seen Wayne Rooney labour through one of his worst performances in a United shirt, he may have cause to wonder why.
By the time Van Persie did come on, United were lucky to be only one goal down. As they pushed for an equaliser in the closing moments, their new signing found himself taking corners and throw-ins. It was that kind of night.
Jump for joy: Marouane Fellaini gets up to head the ball past United keeper David De Gea
At full time, Goodison Park bounced and shook. Everton had played some football evocative of glorious years gone by and as they resisted United’s late surge to edge over the line to a thoroughly deserved victory their fans celebrated a terrific start to their season.
Former United captain Gary Neville suggested rather impishly afterwards that Everton may find themselves fending off interest in the marauding Fellaini. What he probably doesn’t know is that
United, along with many other English clubs, were alerted to him before Everton bought him from Standard Liege in 2008.
On Monday the 24-year-old was almost unplayable. Clearly fancying his chances against a United back four that featured Michael Carrick at centre half, a decision forced on Sir Alex Ferguson by injury, and Antonio Valencia at right-back — that one wasn’t — Fellaini imposed himself all night.
The Belgian is much more than a battering ram. If he offered only a physical threat he wouldn’t play much of his football in such deep positions.
His presence in the United penalty area was undeniably difficult to deal with, though, and his winning goal in 57th minute was a thing of beauty.
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