Fletcher 35

                                                                                Valencia 76

A wonder strike by Scottish international midfielder Darren Fletcher set United on their way to as comfortable a victory as they have had in some time.

They overcame an Everton side which didn’t produce anything near their best until they were already three-down. And it would have been more convincing had United turned their dominance into goals earlier than they did.

It was a vital win, as United were eight points behind leaders Chelsea when the game kicked-off, a yawning gap so early in the season.

Michael Owen started up front in place of Dimitar Berbatov, but despite an occasionally lively display from the England wannabee, all three United goals came from their dominant midfield.

After United had virtually monopolised possession in the first quarter, Fletcher opened the scoring on 35 minutes in true ‘theatre of dreams’ style, volleying the ball home with his right foot from 20 yards after Antonio Valencia had deftly nodded the ball into his path.

Everton introduced striker Ayegbeni Yakubu in support of lone frontman Louis Saha, which increased their previously pitiful threat.

But it was still a surprise that United had to wait until the 69^th minute to double their advantage.

Wayne Rooney clipped the crossbar with a curling, looping effort from the edge of the box, and Owen was denied by a great last-ditch block from Sylvan Distin.

But before the Toffees could harbour any thoughts of stealing something from the game, Michael Carrick drilled home a left-foot shot from a precise cross by the excellent Ryan Giggs.

Valencia made it three-nil with fourteen minutes remaining when his low drive was deflected past Everton keeper Tim Howard by the luckless Leighton Baines.

And Jack Rodwell, reportedly a United transfer target, finally brought a save out of United’s under-employed keeper Edwin van der Sar as the game entered stoppage time.