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Man United storm back to earn vital win

Manchester United took a huge step towards clinching the English Premier League title by defeating Everton 4-2 after a stunning second-half fightback at Goodison Park yesterday.

Goals either side of half time by defender Alan Stubbs and midfielder Manuel Fernandes appeared to have left Sir Alex Ferguson's hopes of a ninth Premiership title in the balance.

But an horrendous error by young keeper Iain Turner proved the turning point as United netted four times in the final half hour to go five points clear of Chelsea, who could only draw against Bolton, with three games remaining.

John O'Shea reduced the deficit before Everton captain Phil Neville, a former United player, scored an own goal while trying to clear a header by substitute Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wayne Rooney, who started his career at Everton before moving to Old Trafford, put United ahead for the first time in the 79th minute before Chris Eagles completed a sensational win in stoppage time.

United face a tricky derby with Manchester City next weekend before travelling to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 9.

But the manner of this victory suggests that Ferguson's outfit have one hand on their first title since 2003.

Yet they looked anything but champions in the waiting during after a dreadful first half performance.

After an emotional and sustained round of applause in memory of former Everton and England World Cup winner Alan Ball, who died earlier in the week, Joleon Lescott headed against the United bar in the third minute.

Yet the visitors did not heed the warning and found themselves behind after Stubbs beat Edwin van der Sar from 30m with the aid of a deflection after a free kick had been awarded for a challenge by Patrice Evra.

United looked devoid of ideas and their afternoon went from bad to worse when Fernandes doubled Everton's lead in the 50th minute with a ferocious strike from the edge.

Everton were coasting but a schoolboy error by Turner allowed United an unexpected lifeline when he dropped a corner by Ryan Giggs and O'Shea made no mistake from close range in the 61st minute.

United came to life and six minutes later drew level after Neville screwed the ball into his own net while attempting a clearance following a header by Ronaldo, who started on the bench after suffering a minor heel injury on the eve of the match.

Rooney made it 3-2 with 11 minutes to go after darting past Tony Hibbert, before Eagles completed the victory in the dying seconds following a pass by man-of-the-match Rooney.
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