MAN UTD 0, EVERTON 1
David Moyes suffered a miserable night as former club Everton won at Old Trafford to end Manchester United’s 12 match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Left-back Bryan Oviedo struck the late match-winning goal which earned Everton their first victory at United for 21 years.
United lacked the cutting edge needed to vanquish their visitors, though it was not for the want of trying as the Reds twice struck the frame of the Toffees’ goal and had numerous other chances.
United, for all their efforts, were unable to find a way past keeper Tim Howard as Moyes was unable to inflict a defeat on his former club just as he failed to beat United at Old Trafford during his 10 years as Everton manager.
The defeat left United 12 points behind leaders United with Moyes admitting they have plenty of work to do if they are to retain their title.
Moyes said: “There is a long way to go, but we need to play some great football and win a lot of games if we are to be around the top at the end of the season.
“I am disappointed to lose, but that’s the way the game goes. It was a tight game and we had opportunities to win it.”
United, who were still without the injured Robin van Persie, made three changes from side which kicked off at Spurs on Sunday.
Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Tom Cleverley made way for Rafael, Ryan Giggs and Marouane Fellaini.
Giggs became only the fourth outfield player to appear in the Premier League beyond his 40th birthday joining Gordon Strachan, Teddy Sheringham and Kevin Phillips.
Everton made the livelier start as Kevin Mirallas forced Reds’ keeper David De Gea in to an early athletic save.
United had to wait over quarter of an hour before carving out their first clear-cut chance when Wayne Rooney cut in from the left and forced keeper Tim Howard into a smart save low at his near post.
Giggs also went close glancing a header narrowly wide from a Rafael cross as United gradually became more of a threat.
Rooney went close again as his shot from the edge of the box deflected off Sylvain Distin and struck the base of the upright.
De Gea was summoned into action again saving a deflected shot from Romelu Lukaku with his legs.
Patrice Evra’s long-range drive tested the reflexes of Howard, but United were having difficulty unlocking the Everton defence. And just short of the hour, Moyes made a double change bring in Nani and Adnan Januzaj in a bid to find that elusive spark in the final third of the pitch.
Rooney picked up his fifth booking of the season which means he is banned for Saturday’s Old Trafford visit of Newcastle.
Everton substitute Gerard Deulofeu burst through on the right, but shot disappointingly straight at De Gea.
Howard made two reflex saves to deny Januzaj and Evra while Danny Welbeck headed against the crossbar as United cranked up the tempo.
Everton found second wind and finished the game strongly as Mirallas’ free kick struck an upright before they broke the deadlock in the 86th minute.
Lukaku crossed the ball from the right of the box to the far post where Costa Rican Oviedo, only in the side because Leighton Baines was injured, fired home a low shot into the far corner to clinch a first win at Old Trafford since August 1992.