Sir Alex Ferguson has pinpointed Manchester United's draw against Everton as the game that has cost his side the Premier League title.

The Red Devils twice led by two goals at Old Trafford before the Toffees struck back with goals from Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar to earn a 4-4 draw.

Victory would have seen United retain a five-point lead over Manchester City before the two teams clashed at the Etihad Stadium.

Vincent Kompany's headed goal secured victory for the Citizens in the crunch game on Monday night, but Ferguson believes that it was the game against David Moyes's men that sealed their fate.

"I think the Everton game was the killer for us," said Ferguson. "It was an absolutely ridiculous ­performance in the last 10 minutes of the match. Just absolute carelessness.

"It's all right saying the history of the club is to attack all the time, but it was a stupid performance. If we lose the league we'll have to accept it's the Everton game that did it."

Manchester United trail their cross-city rivals on goal difference, with Manchester City eight goals better off.