EVERTON FC’s poor form against the Premier League’s top four continued, as they lost 1-0 to Manchester United in a tight encounter at Goodison Park.

David Moyes’ men created more chances than their recently chastened opponents, who failed to turn on the style, but were undone by a familiar lack of cutting edge.

While there were more positives than in games against Manchester City and Chelsea, the result leaves EFC in danger of dropping further down the table, with a visit to high-flying Newcastle United next up.

A searing early run by Seamus Coleman, who cut inside and drilled a low shot at De Gea, typified a bright opening for the home side.

But the first really gilt-edged chance of the game came when Danny Welbeck got away from Marouane Fellaini and Tony Hibbert in the area, and cut across to Ji-Sung Park who had his close-range shot smothered by Tim Howard.

Both sides seemed committed to attacking, with United shading the early stages in terms of genuine threat.

And they took the lead after 18 minutes, when Everton’s frequent soft underbelly was exposed again. Welbeck fed Patrice Evra who crossed, and as Jagielka failed to clear the ball, Javier Hernandez pounced to convert with a simple far-post header.

The tempo dipped afterwards, and infuriatingly so did Everton’s passing fluidity.

Louis Saha predictably seemed heavy-legged and isolated alone up front against the commanding presence of a fired-up Nemanja Vidic, while Leon Osman failed to have an influence just behind him.

United were winning the midfield battle, harrying Everton’s central duo of Rodwell, who was booked for kicking out, and Fellaini who failed to stamp his authority on proceedings.

The pair at least conspired to create a half chance late in the first period, as Fellaini nodded Heitinga’s cross down and Osman flashed a shot wide. Then Rodwell ran at the Red Devils’ back line and also unleashed an effort that wasn’t far from De Gea’s near post.

It was becoming a late flourish, and should have been rewarded with an equaliser when Leighton Baines’ central free kick struck the cross bar, after Darren Fletcher had obstructed a charging Fellaini.

The Blues ended the half on the front foot, and began the second in similar fashion; Rodwell forcing De Gea into a fantastic save after a lung-busting run, and sub Ross Barkley adding a more robust element to the left flank.

But although the Toffees began to control the possession, they lacked any cutting edge as is so frequently the case, and their final ball was lacklustre.

In fairness, United were a tough not to crack, as Alex Ferguson’s side were determined to be harder to break down than in their infamous derby debacle last weekend.

They went close from a corner on 80 minutes, but after a goal line scramble, Rodwell eventually blasted wide.

And late cameos for Apostolos Vellios, and Magaye Gueye could not unlock a stubborn opposition rearguard, which comfortably played out six minutes of extra time after an injury to one the referee’s assistants.

Unlike in this fixture last season there was to be no late, dramatic revival.

EVERTON: (4-4-1-1) Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka (Capt), Heitinga, Baines, Fellaini, Rodwell, Coleman, Osman (Vellios, 75), Bilyaletdinov (Barkley, 45) Saha (Gueye, 83).

Subs not used: Mucha, Stracqualursi, McFadden, Mustafi.

Bookings: Rodwell, Fellaini

Goals:

MANCHESTER UNITED: (4-5-1) De Gea, Jones, Vidic (Capt), Evans, Evra, Fletcher, Park, Cleverley (Nani, 56), Rooney, Hernandez (Berbatov, 66), Welbeck (Valencia, 72).

Subs not used:  Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Owen, Fabio.

Bookings:

Goals: Hernandez (18)