United refuse to come unstuck against toffees

Manchester United's Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (R) celebrates scoring with teammate Rio Ferdinand during their English Premiership football match against Everton at Old Trafford, Manchester, northwest England. Manchester won 3-0.

Manchester United maintained a three-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the Premiership as they brushed past Everton 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Having been forced to settle for a share of the spoils when hosting the champions three days earlier, goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra and John O'Shea ensured United returned to winning ways.

As spirited and determined as Everton were, they lacked the class to take full advantage of a United side that looked to be feeling the effects of that confrontation early on as they struggled to find fluency.

But, nevertheless, they ultimately deserved the victory and with the best scoring record in the Premiership, not to mention the meanest defence, Sir Alex Ferguson will be growing in belief that United can wrestle the title away from Chelsea's grasp.

Though Ferguson had said earlier this season that he would not be tinkering with his side too much, his team selection for Everton's visit raised a few eyebrows as he made five changes to the 11 that had drawn 1-1 with Chelsea.

Out went Paul Scholes, Nemanja Vidic, Louis Saha and Gabriel Heinze, with John OShea, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra and Mikel Silvestre returning to action against a team that had only won one away Premiership fixture prior to this one.

Manchester United's John O'Shea (L) celebrates his goal and United's third against Everton during their English Premiership football match at Old Trafford, Manchester, northwest England. Manchester won 3-0.

The biggest surprise, however, was the omission of Ryan Giggs on his 33rd birthday.

The Wales international watched the action unfold from the directors box amid rumours of a training ground bust-up with Ferguson over the goal United conceded on Sunday.

Everton, meanwhile, were also forced to ring the changes from the team that had drawn 1-1 at the weekend against Charlton Athletic.

Richard Wright replaced the ineligible Tim Howard in goal, while Alan Stubbs came in for Simon Davies.

Perhaps shuffling Uniteds pack contributed to a rather sluggish start, their passing lacking purpose.

As a result, Everton were able to ease themselves into the battle and had the first shot at goal when Leon Osman tested Edwin van der Sar from range.

Everton threatened again on 15 minutes, this time through James McFadden.

The Scotland international forced a mistake out of Michael Carrick but, having burst into the area, he dragged his shot wide.

United belatedly offered some threat with Kieran Richardson - in for Giggs - clipping the top of the cross bar with a free kick after Phil Neville had handled.

Wayne Rooney then glanced a header just wide of Wright's goal.

But that brief flurry did little to dent Everton's confidence and back they came. With Mikel Arteta becoming increasingly influential, Stubbs had a goal-bound shot blocked when Uniteds defence had been caught napping from a corner.

United were seemingly missing the guile of Scholes in the middle and Sahas power up front but they poked their noses in front when Ronaldo seized on a loose ball to drive past Wright from 25 yards. It was a rare moment of quality.

The second half was a much more feisty affair, with thunderous tackles being exchanged and the atmosphere raising a few decibels but United always looked the more likely to score.

So it proved just after the hour when Rooney - who endured a slightly frustrating night against his old club - sent Evra clear on the left and the French fullback evaded a desperate challenge from Joseph Yobo to fizz a drive past Wright.

O'Shea rubbed salt in Everton's wounds in the dying moments when he flicked an effort in at the near post.