Liverpool, England: Marouane Fellaini headed in a corner kick from Darron Gibson in the 57th minute, giving Everton a season-opening 1-0 upset win over Manchester United on Monday night.
After losing the Premier League title to rival Manchester City on goal difference last May on the final day of a trophyless season, United lost at Goodison Park for just the fourth time in 21 Premier League meetings.
“I don’t think anybody tonight was considering Everton at all,” Everton manager David Moyes told Sky Sports television. “A lot of people forgot Everton aren’t a bad team, and Goodison is a difficult place to come and win.”
It was the first time United lost a league opener since 2004.
Robin Van Persie, signed from Arsenal on Friday, entered in the 68th minute in his United debut. American goalkeeper Tim Howard got the shutout for Everton, coming off a seventh-place finish.
Everton’s Marouane Fellaini (C) celebrates his goal against Manchester United. AP
Tom Cleverley came closest to tying the score, but his shot was cleared off the line by Phil Jagielka midway through the second half.
“It’s nice to send the Everton fans on the first day of our season home with a win and not the doom and gloom we normally start with,” Jagielka said.
United was playing its first competitive match since becoming a listed company on the New York Stock Exchange.
AP
