United FellEarli

Everton line-up: Howard, Hibbert, Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Osman (Coleman, 80'), Neville, Gibson, Pienaar, Fellaini (Heitinga, 90'), Jelavic (Naismith, 89')
Man Utd line-up: De Gea, Valencia, Vidic, Carrick, Evra, Cleverley (Anderson, 85'), Kagawa, Scholes, Nani (Young, 78'), Welbeck (Van Persie, 68'), Rooney

Manchester United's fight to win the Premier League title back began tonight in defeat against Everton at Goodison Park. Marouane Fellaini proved to be a mammoth figure in and around the United area and would provide the header that earned Everton three points on the opening game of the season, something the Toffees aren't quite used to.

In fairness, Everton looked stronger throughout the match despite having less possession. United's makeshift defence looked rather weak and question marks were raised as to why Michael Carrick, not Nemanja Vidic, was marking Fellaini when he headed home from a corner 12-minutes into the second half.

The first breakaway did fall to United when Nani broke free before being pegged back by Sylvain Distin who subsequently won a goal kick. Somehow, Nani felt bereaved at conceding a goal kick and lost his temper. Second later, the Portuguese stupidly retaliated to a tackle by going in half-heartedly two-footed on Leighton Baines and was perhaps lucky to only receive a yellow card.

The first half was dominated by Fellaini and Steven Pienaar, making his fourth debut for Everton. If it wasn't for David De Gea, United could well have been one or two behind before half-time. Even Baines challenged the Spanish keeper who pulled out some fantastic diving saves throughout the game. United's best chance of the half came early on when a snapshot volley from Paul Scholes was spilled slightly by Tim Howard before the American smothered it again.

It was more of the same in the second half as United walked an even thinner tight rope. Just three minutes after the restart, Leon Osman found himself with the ball at his feet which he fired a shot that came rattling back off the crossbar. This lead to questions being asked as to whether it would be Everton's day.

But those asking the question needn't have worried as another corner was awarded to the hosts on 57-minutes. Former United man, Darron Gibson, lofted the corner in where Fellaini out-jumped Carrick to fire his powerful header past De Gea and send Everton into the lead.

The goal did spark a bit more life into the United side but they still couldn't create enough to really upset the Everton defence. The two times they did get in behind the defence, United should have scored. Their first was their best opportunity but Phil Jagielka performed fantastically well to keep the ball off the line. A scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Tom Cleverley who only had the goal to aim for. With Howard out the picture, Cleverley's shot looked goal bound until Jagielka rushed back to flick the ball away.

United's other chance was created by their new £24m signing, Robin Van Persie. The Dutchman played a fantastic ball through to fellow debutante, Shinji Kagawa, but the Japanese couldn't quite get to the ball before Howard and Everton breathed once more. From there, it didn't look in doubt and Everton would indeed walk away with the three points. It's not all bad news for Manchester United though, it seems that 23-year old full back Alexander Buttner is close to signing from Vitesse after passing his medical. United have also gone onto win the Premiership on two of the three occasions they lost their first game of the season, proving it's not how you start a season, it's how finish it.