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Howard, Everton open season by blanking Manchester United

Tim Howard Everton (Getty Images)

Everton have been notoriously slow to find their footing at the start of the past few Premiership seasons, but the Toffees got off to a flying start to the new campaign on Monday.

Everton upset and blanked Manchester United, 1-0, in their season opener at Goodison Park, winning courtesy of a Marouane Fellaini goal early in the second half. The Belgian international opened his scoring account this season in a Man of the Match-worthy performance when he thundered home a corner kick despite some tight marking from Michael Carrick.

Tim Howard, who is coming off a strong outing in the U.S. men's national team's first win at Estadio Azteca, also contributed to the Toffees' win. Howard made three saves en route to recording the first of what should be several cleansheets this season.

Robin van Persie made his Manchester United debut in the game, coming off the bench in the 68th minute to replace Danny Welbeck. Unfortunately for him and the rest of the Red Devils, they did not find an equalizing goal and had to suffer through their first defeat of the season much sooner than they would have liked.

Here's the goal:

What do you think of Everton's 1-0 win over Manchester United? Think the Toffees are ready to enjoy a strong start to the Premiership campaign? Are you worried about United's chances of winning the league this season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Chicharo doesn’t even drop down to play defense, he’s a useless poacher. Plus Howard would have blocked anything form him, like he did at the Azteca. Ha!

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  2. Did you hear the fans in The Old Lady? What an awesome environment for a home team! Memorize the words to the songs/chants and sing along at home – it’s a wonderful team to support (without primadonnas). They exemplify the word “Team”. Yes, they have been “mid-table”, and the comments about depth have been true – however, this year they may have the quality second 11 that will propel them further. I know it’s only one game, but Europa or some hardware is truly within reach. And, I’m so proud of Tim! COYB! Bucket List #4: Night Fixture at Goodison against an EPL Top 4.

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  3. Nothing makes me happy then to see the Mexican national players on the bench, or not make the bench. 🙂 … I can care less for Concacaf, so don’t reply back with a Concacaf comment. The only team I care for is the U.S. 🙂

    Great game yesterday. Howard looked great. Fellaini and Distin were in beast mode yesterday.

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  4. exactly.
    thats the problem that some of these clubs have. They can match up with the big-boys first 11 but after that they are lacking talent & depth because of limited funds.

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  5. I agree they struggled on defense, but they did just buy Buttner to hopefully replace Evra, and they actually have five central defenders, and four of them are injured. What should they do, buy two more and have 7 when they are all healthy? You can’t account for 4/5 of your center defense being unavailable. How is Carrick supposed to defend Felliani like a real center back would?

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  6. I don’t believe Rooney has ever won the golden boot, if that’s your third player. Everton had the best defense in the league last season behind City and United, and they are also a great team at home. Any team would have struggled there. City lost by the same score at Everton last season. Don’t get me wrong, United typically do well there anyway and it’s disappointing…

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  7. Really, based on 25 minutes of playing on a new team, you are already doubting his move to United? What if he scores a hat trick this weekend?

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  8. Jeff, I agree regarding midfield being their biggest problem, but Kagawa signing should help. He won’t make their midfield anywhere as good at midfield at Barca or Real Madrid or even Bayern, but they should be better at midfield than they were last year.

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  9. I love how Man Utd has 3 different golden boot winners on their team and couldn’t score against a mid-table team. They probably should pick up another striker.

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  10. I started liking Everton last spring when I was following Donovan there, and since then keep liking the team more and more and yesterday’s great victory turned me into a true believer. If Liverpool falls through for Clint Dempsey and a good team like Arsenal or Schalke don’t snatch him up, then Everton would be the ideal move for Clint. At Everton Clint could be teamed up with Timmy. And David Moyse is not only a great coach but seems to be an outstanding human being, an attribute that I see absent right now in Martin Jol and Fulham management.

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  11. This is true, but it appeared he was being played out of position, especially in the first half. He never played that high for Dortmund, hanging around in the box.

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  12. ha-ha. I am thinking the same thing. In hindsight, a lot Wenger’s comments during the saga now seem designed only to drive up van Persie’s transfer fee, the sly old dog. Yes, possible that van Persie will tear up the league for Man U and bask in glory. but at this point, am doubtful. RvP does not seem like a good fit at Man U. and £24 million million pounds seems like a foolish waste of money. we shall see.

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  13. It really was an incredible performance. Best I’ve seen in a while. And the Everton defensive effort was very, very inspired as well.

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  14. Last year Chicharito had a “sophomore slump”. He started off the year poorly,I think in part due to injury.

    Regardless, he did not have a stellar second season. With Wellbeck developing and now RVP around, if Chicharito does not do something big he will be Michael Owen this year and then gone next year, if not sooner.

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  15. Landon would be cheap and provide lots of depth. Here’s to hoping he goes there for good after the MLS season ends. A few million would be a fair price for all involved.

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  16. Fulham have been my European team for a few years now but I’ve always respected Everton. Always root for them unless they’re playing Fulham (or the MLS all stars)

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  17. what was amazing to me is the way he kept bringing balls down on his chest when he was being challenged. His opponent tried to head the ball, he simply chested it down and controlled it. Incredible performance Fellaini. Thought Jagielka made some superb defensive plays as well

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  18. Completely different situation. Howard lost his job because of some mistakes in big games. Carrol took Howard’s spot until Van Der Sar came along. Chicharito became fourth choice because of the development of Welbeck and the fact that Van Persie became available on the market. If Van Persie didn’t come out publically saying he wouldn’t sign a new contract I think Ferguson would have been fine with Chicharito being third choice.

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  19. But they will never win the title. That’s what stinks they scout and grind the the lower leagues looking for talent for but in the end it gets them at best sixth or seventh. In a world driven by big money hard work always gets trumped by a big check book.

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  20. Perhaps, though the problem would be that once the magnetized ball got to his magnet-head, it would have a tendency to stick, and obviously his goal came off his head with some force.

    Unless…he has a switch he can hit to reverse polarities on his head magnet at the key moment! I demand a FIFA investigation!

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  21. “Are you worried about United’s chances of winning the league this season?”

    LOL! Why would we worry about a team that most of us despise not winning the league? A better question would have been “How exhilarated are you about United’s poor start?”

    Also, I feel bad for Chich. Awkward to be the fourth striker on a team that sometimes starts only one. Like Howard, he had a great debut season as a temp until SAF opened the checkbook and brought in permanent players.

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  22. How times have changed it used to be that hernandez would own howard. Hopefully howard can do the same to dos Santos next year, cause he still had nightmares of that gold cup final

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  23. I’m a converted Everton supporter that used to be a Man City supporter. City USED to be the kind of club that Everton currently is…then the circus started. Everton does their business and their football the right way. You have to respect it.

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  24. How can you not love Everton?

    They play hard, they play fair and they with class. It’s not hard to see Moyes in the way this team plays.

    Absolutely love them.

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  25. That’s what happens when you continue to buy attacking talent when defense is your biggest problem. I can’t wait to watch United blow game after game this season with their suspect defense. Everton was unlucky not to score quite a few more today.

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  26. Fellaini, Jagielka, and Distin were just immense in the air tonight. I think Fella chested down more balls than Vidic and Carrick won in the air.

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  27. Too bad Everton really don’t have much in the way of funds. With Moyes and the players they have, they can beat anyone on their day, but the season is long and they lack depth.

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