Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Premier League encounter between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park.
There were wins for Chelsea and Manchester City on the opening weekend of the season, while West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United also began their campaign with three points.
Now the focus switches to Merseyside, with Everton looking to improve on their seventh-place finish in the table last season.
United also have unfinished business after they were pipped to the title by rivals Manchester City last season – despite earning 89 points - while they have lost just two of their 15 Premier League meetings with Everton.
The Toffees were credited with aiding United's title collapse last season, however, when they recovered from 4-2 down to claim a point in a sensational 4-4 draw at Old Trafford at the end of the campaign.
Please note that kickoff is at 8pm.
9.57pmSo there we have it. United start in the worst possible fashion with an away defeat to Everton. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us for the rest of the Premier League action this season. Until then!
9.53pmSo there we have it. Everton record the three points following a Fellaini header in the second period. United pushed for an equaliser in the latter stages, but they simply could not make the breakthrough.
FULL-TIMEEverton 1-0 Manchester United
90 min+4However, Distin jumps highest to clear the danger.
90 min+390 seconds left in this one with United on the attack. Corner.
90 min+2Change for Everton as Fellaini is replaced by Jonny Heitinga.
90 min+1Chance for United as Anderson strikes an effort from outside the box, but it whistles past the post. This one is almost over.
90 minWe will play an additional four minutes at the end of the match.
89 minColeman dances past Vidic down the right to gain a free kick for Everton. Meanwhile, Naismith comes on for his debut in place of Jelavic.
88 minReally poor from Young as he chips a cross straight into the hands of Howard. This one is just slipping away for United.
87 minJelavic throws himself to the ground in the final moments - I'm not sure how injured he is. Strange that it has happened in the final moments of the match. Some may call it anti-football, but Everton are doing a job here.
85 minIt remains all United, but once more, they just cannot find the final ball. Meanwhile, one more change for United as Cleverley is replaced by Anderson.
83 minEverton are not interested in attacking at the moment. They continue to give away foul after foul as they break up the pressure. Can United save this?
81 min10 minutes remaining at Goodison Park and still United lead. Meanwhile, change for Everton as Osman is replaced by Seamus Coleman. Everton will look to close the game out now.
79 minChance! The chances continue to fall for United as Van Persie finds Kagawa in the box, but Howard just denies the midfielder.
77 minFirst real time that Van Persie has got on the ball, and his cross is just cut out by Howard. But it will come straight back. Attack versus defence at the moment. Meanwhile, change for United as Nani is replaced by Ashley Young.
75 minIt's really poor from Nani as he plays it straight out of play, he lets you down time and time again when you need him the most. 15 minutes remaining at Goodison.
73 minHowever, Everton continue to clear the danger. It's simply all United.
73 minYet another corner for United as an Evra cross flicks off Hibbert. Nani to take.
71 minAnother chance for United as Vidic winners the header in the box, but it just moves wide of the target. However, the pressure is all one-way at the moment.
69 minMore pressure from United as Rooney whips a cross into the box, but Distin clears the danger. Van Persie to take the corner.
67 minIt's all United at the moment with 20 minutes remaining. Meanwhile, he comes Van Persie for Welbeck. This is the change United fans wanted.
67 minChance! Best chance of the match for United as Cleverley looks to tap home from close range, but Jagielka makes the block.
67 minStill no breakthrough for United as Everton continue to stand strong in defence, there is just no way through.
65 minAnother chance for Everton as Jagielka finds Fellaini in the box, but his header is straight at De Gea. Still no sign of Van Persie for United.
63 minScholes needs to be really careful here as he fouls Fellaini. He needs to come off or he is going to be sent off. Fergie make the change.
63 minThe pressure is all from United at the moment as they continue to probe around the Everton box, but their final ball has just not been there this evening.
61 minUnited have 30 minutes to respond. They cannot afford to lose their opening game of the season. Everton have just been brilliant in this second half.
59 minEarly chance for United to get back on level terms as they crowd the penalty area, but Nani's cross is poor. The noise is deafening.
58 minThe goal had been coming. How do United respond in the second period? Time for Van Persie? I think so.
57 minEverton lead and it's Fellaini who rises highest in the box to thump a header past De Gea.
57 minGOAL! Everton 1-0 Manchester United (Fellaini)
56 minChance! Opening for United as Kagawa feeds Rooney outside the box, but his effort just moves high of the crossbar.
56 minEverton have yet again raised the tempo, but the threat from United on the counter is apparent. It's a really good game at the moment.
54 minUnited need to be really careful here with Nani and Scholes on bookings, while Vidic clashes into Jelavic. They need to just quieten it down. This is how Everton want it.
54 minSighter for United as Rooney looks for Cleverley in the box, but Baines just makes the challenge. End-to-end football at the moment.
52 minUnited need to get hold of Fellaini in this second period, he is winning every single header in the air. What a player. Incredible.
52 minAnother fantastic tackle from Jagielka as he denies a clever one-two from Rooney and Kagawa. Wonderful from the England defender. It is all opening up now.
50 minChance! Best chance of the match for Everton as Osman finds himself in the box, but he strikes the crossbar before Jagielka challenges Welbeck at the other end. Wow!
48 minEarly sighter for Everton as Gibson picks up possession on the edge of the box, but his strike is over the crossbar.
46 minNot the best of starts for Rooney as he loses possession once more - before firing a cross straight out of play. However, early attacking intent from the away side.
46 minHere we go then. United kick us off. When will we see the new United number 20?
9.02pmNo changes for either side at the interval as the players join us for the second period.
9.02pmHere's an interesting stat ahead of the second period: Manchester United have won only one of their last 10 Premier League away matches that have been goalless at the break.
8.58pmGary Neville has also picked out Fellaini as the star of the half for Everton. The big man has been brilliant. He is almost playing as a striker this evening.
8.56pmUnited can only improve in the second period. They have not played particularly badly, but the home side have impressed - with Fellaini leading the charge.
8.54pmEverton started the opening period on fire, lifted by the home crowd, but you do wonder whether they will regret not scoring while on top.
8.52pmUnited have not seen much from wide positions in the opening half - with Rooney dropping ever so deep. I wonder how long it will be until we see a certain Dutchman.
8.50pmUnited have enjoyed the better of possession, however, but for their goalkeeper they would be behind. Meanwhile, Everton will be content with their performance thus far.
8.48pmOh my word! What a half of football. No doubt who the star has been - United stopper David de Gea. Both sides have had chances to take the lead, but Everton might feel that they deserve to be in front.
HALF-TIMEEverton 0-0 Manchester United
45 minMeanwhile, we will play an additional two minutes of added time. Chance for Rooney as Kagawa finds the striker in the box, but he just could not make proper contact.
45 minChance! Oh my word it is another glorious save from De Gea as he denies a Baines free kick. Wonderful, wonderful.
44 minSighter for United as Kagawa produces a clever dummy for Rooney, but Distin clears the danger for a throw. Just over a minute of the opening period remaining.
42 minAnother half-chance from United as Valencia chips a cross into the box, but Jagielka rises high to clear the danger.
40 minChance! It's another glorious save from De Gea as he denies Osman from close range. Wonderful goalkeeping.
40 minEverton just stroking possession around the park with five minutes of the half remaining. It has been a tight opening period of football.
38 minBig penalty shout for United as Welbeck is pulled down in the box, but the referee waves play on before he shoots wide. That could have been given.
38 minChance! Best opportunity of the match for United as Evra finds Rooney in the box, but the striker's effort is straight at Howard.
38 minSighter for United as Valencia attacks down the right, but his cross is cut out by Hibbert. Meanwhile, Fellaini remains a constant threat in the air for Everton.
36 minChance! Brilliant one-two from Pienaar and Baines in the box, but Scholes just makes the challenge. Everton have certainly had the best of the chances.
34 minMeanwhile, Jagielka heads a corner over the bar from the home side. De Gea has been sensational in this opening half of football.
32 minNice football for United as Valencia finds Scholes in the middle of midfield, but once more Everton steal possession before De Gea pushes a Pienaar strike wide of the post.
30 minReally good chance for United as Valencia finds Welbeck on the edge of the box, but the striker's ball to Nani is just short - before the Portuguese is ruled offside. Meanwhile, Pienaar fires wide down the other end.
29 minRooney's effort is on target, but Howard just pushes it wide of the post. Good effort, good save.
29 minFree kick United in an advanced position as Pienaar fells Scholes on the edge of the box. Really big chance for the away side.
27 minThe pressure remains from the home side as Fellaini makes Vidic play it out for a throw. However, United harbour a real threat on the counter.
25 minEverton have a third chance in quick succession as Fellaini turns in the box, but his effort just drifts wide of the post.
25 minChance! Chance for Everton as Pienaar rises highest in the box, but De Gea makes yet another fine save. Brilliant from the Spaniard.
25 minAnother opportunity for Everton as Fellaini plays in Jelavic, but De Gea comes out to make a decent save at the feet of the Croatian.
23 minChance! Opportunity for United as Nani strikes it from outside the box, but it was always moving wide of the post.
23 minSo nearly for United as Kagawa slips it through to Rooney, but Gibson makes a brilliant tackle to deny his former teammate.
21 minMuch better from United as Evra finds Welbeck in the box, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. Best period of the match for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
19 minUnited are just beginning to gain a period of control as the start to play their football, but there has been no way through the Everton defence thus far.
17 minAnother chance for Everton as Baines whips a dangerous ball into the box, but De Gea does fantastic to clear it, before Osman fires wide from outside the box.
16 minRooney has not made the best of starts to this one as he gifts possession away once more. However, the away side have somewhat stemmed the early flow of pressure.
14 minChance! Best chance of the match for Everton as Fellaini advances into the box, but he smashes the post from a tight angle.
14 minIt's not a good challenge from Scholes as he gains a booking for a foul on Gibson. It was not a great tackle. Scholes, behave!
12 minAgain it's decent football from Everton as Pienaar cuts inside, but Vidic clears the danger before Valencia knocks a long pass out of play. Meanwhile, Fellaini is causing United all sorts of problems with his height.
10 minFirst real chance of the match for the away side as Scholes strikes it from outside the box, but Howard collects the danger. It's better from United.
9 minSloppy from United at the moment as Valencia gifts possession straight to Neville. Meanwhile, Rooney came close to finding Scholes at the other end.
7 minUnited just cannot keep the ball at the moment with Everton not giving the away side a moment to rest. It really has been an all-action start.
5 minStill Everton remain on the attack as Jelavic buys a corner from Vidic. However, Carrick jumps highest to clear the danger.
3 minFirst yellow card of the match goes to Nani as he chops down Leighton Baines. What an explosive start! It's like a rock concert inside the ground.
3 minFirst attack for United as Nani advances down the left, but Distin comes across to clear the danger. Nani was not happy with the challenge. Bright start from both sides.
3 minIt's a sighter for Everton as Pienaar finds the head of Osman in the box, but his header was always moving wide of the target.
2 minDecent start from Everton as Pienaar gains a free kick from Nani. Meanwhile, the home side fans are calling for every challenge in the early stages.
1 minHere we go. Everton kick us off - as Fellaini jumps up and down in the centre circle. That was questionable!
7.59pmWonderful atmosphere inside Goodison. Let's get this match underway. Just a reminder that Van Persie starts on the bench for United this evening.
7.57pmHere we go then. Neville and Vidic lead their teams out this evening. Remember, just the two defenders for United tonight.
7.55pmKevin Mirallas has just been introduced to the home side. He will not feature this evening, but he could be a star for the Blues this season.
7.53pmRight, we are just about seven minutes away from kickoff. Both sets of players will soon emerge from the tunnel. Monday Night football is back people!
7.51pmMeanwhile, Gary Neville believes that Wayne Rooney will form a deadly partnerhip with Van Persie this season. And Neville certainly knows his stuff.
7.49pmFerguson has also confirmed that Javier Hernandez is not injured. He has been left out for footballing reasons. Could the rumours of him leaving be true?
7.47pmMeanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson has told Sky Sports News: "He's [Van Persie] not played any football. It is better that he starts on the bench."
7.45pmNani also needs to have a big season for United. He has all the ability in the world, but is still so inconsistent. He should be up there with the best, but he isn't - yet.
7.43pmA word must also be said on Paul Scholes. He is at the start of his 18th Premier League season. What can you seriously say about that? There is nothing you can say, because it would never do it justice.
7.41pmMeanwhile, Everton boss David Moyes has told Sky Sports News that he is 'happy' with his transfer business this summer. The Toffees are always such a difficult side to play.
7.39pmThere comes a time when I make a pre-match prediction in each commentary - and that time is now. I'm saying Everton 1-2 United. And I am expecting a cracking match. There is little over 20 minutes until we kick things off.
7.37pmUnited do seem to have an incredible amount of attacking players at their disposal. Maybe Rooney could play centre half tonight? He'd probably be fantasic there as well.
7.35pmMeanwhile, here is another stat courtesy of Opta Sports: Manchester United have lost just one of their last 27 Premier League games on a Monday. To who? Yep, City in April.
7.33pmIt's pretty much as expected from Everton with Fellaini playing just behind Jelavic. The attacking pair caused havoc against United last season and will look to do so once more.
7.31pmIt will be interesting to see how United actually line up this evening. Will we see Rooney from the left? Or is it Wayne and Welbeck up top with Kagawa playing from the left? Only time will tell.
7.29pmMeanwhile, Ferguson has a host of defensive injuries to contend with - a familiar story - as Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones all sit the match out with various knocks. It's Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick in defence, but Nemanja Vidic does return to skipper the side.
7.27pmIn four of the last six matches between the two sides, at least one of them has scored a minimum of three goals. However, only two of the last 11 meetings has produced more than a one-goal winning margin for either side. How's that for a stat?
7.25pmEverton are also unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games - and they have won seven of their last eight at Goodison Park. But United have lost just once of their last 16 opening-day fixtures in the Premier League - something has to give right?!
7.23pmIn terms of the history between the two sides, Everton have won just three of their 20 home matches against United, but the Reds have found Goodison Park a tough ground in recent seasons.
7.21pmRobin van Persie is joined on the United bench by fellow attacking talents Dimitar Berbatov and Ashley Young, but Javier Hernandez is not in the squad.
7.21pmEverton name new signing Steven Naismith on the bench - while fellow new signing Kevin Mirallas was not registered in time to make the bench.
7.19pmFull teams:
Everton: Howard; Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines; Pienaar, Gibson, Neville, Osman; Fellaini; Jelavic
Man United: De Gea; Valencia, Vidic, Carrick, Evra; Scholes, Cleverley, Nani, Kagawa; Welbeck, Rooney
7.17pmMeanwhile, Everton select Phil Neville and Darron Gibson as the central midfield pair against their former club. Full team news to follow.
7.15pmBREAKING: Robin van Persie starts on the bench for Manchester United. However, Shinji Kagawa does make his debut for the club.
7.15pmHello all! Well, what an opening it has been to the league season. Yesterday brought the biggest drama as City recovered from 2-1 down to record a 3-2 victory over newly-promoted Southampton. Now it's over to fellow title challengers United.
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