Everton shook off their tag of slow starters in the Premier League as they rocked Manchester United and pulled off a shock win.
With all eyes on United’s new signing Robin Van Persie, left on the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson, there was little attention paid to Michael Carrick’s inclusion at central defence.
But Everton’s decision to match Carrick with the imposing, physical presence of Marouane Fellaini was the defining factor of this game as David Moyes' well drilled troops ran out deserved winners.
A lively start saw both teams share the play in an attacking end to end game, but slowly the hosts gained the upper hand and put United under sustained periods of pressure which they failed to respond to.
Steven Pienaar, Leon Osman and Leighton Baines all went close for Everton, with David De Gea producing a string of impressive saves to keep them at bay.
Fellaini was central to all of Everton’s best work and stepped up a gear in the second half, first heading into the path of Osman, whose shot struck the underside of the bar, before powering the Toffees in front himself on 57 minutes.
The Belgian powerhouse left Carrick standing as he headed home decisively from a corner and he almost doubled the advantage six minutes later with another aerial effort.
A goal behind, United went in search of the equaliser but superb defending by Everton, now camped deep in their own half and playing on the break, was to leave the visitors frustrated.
Phil Jagielka cleared off the line from Tom Cleverley and Tim Howard saved well from Shinji Kagawa, while substitute Anderson shot narrowly wide.
Van Persie entered the fray with 22 minutes remaining but struggled to make an impact on a debut he will be keen to forget.