Another Draw for Man United

Everton battled from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Goodison Park.

Darren Fletcher’s well-taken goal had given the visiting champions the lead at half-time, but Marouane Fellaini’s second-half header earned the home side a share of the points.

United went ahead on 22 minutes after the highly impressive Ryan Giggs’s through ball found Fletcher in the Everton box.

The Scotland international good first touch saw him take the ball on the run before firing a low shot across goalkeeper Tim Howard for his third goal of the season.

Everton struggled to offer much of an attacking threat in the first half, but toothless as they were before the break, they came out after half-time with a lot more purpose and got their just reward on 63 minutes.

Former United stalwart Phil Neville sent in an inviting cross, and 64 midfielder Fellaini rose above Nemanja Vidic to glance a header past Edwin van der Sar to bag his second goal for the club and give the Toffees a well-earned point.

Champions United missed out on the chance to move within three points of leaders Chelsea and Liverpool - who play each other on Sunday - while Everton temporarily move two points above the relegation zone.

Everton’s full-blooded resurgence in the second half was reflected in their three second-half bookings, including one for captain Neville for a lunge on Cristiano Ronaldo after referee Alan Wiley had already blown for a foul on the Portuguese winger.

Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney - who was looking for his 100th club career goal at the ground where he started his career - also received a yellow card for a foul on Mikel Arteta.

The England forward reacted to jeers from his hometown fans by grabbing the Manchester United crest on his shirt, provoking a reaction from the crowd and a rebooke from the referee.

United manager Alex Ferguson swiftly substituted him for Nani.