CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Man United v Everton 21/08/96 8.00

Man United              (0) 2 Everton                 (2) 2 FT
Cruyff 70                     Ferguson 35,41
Unsworth 82 (og)

A late own goal from David Unsworth preserved United's 20-month unbeaten home record to halt Everton's victory celebrations in their tracks.

Everton's first half double from Duncan Ferguson looked to have sent the champions crashing to their first Old Trafford Premiership reverse in the 31 games since they were beaten by Nottingham Forest in December 1994.

But Jordi Cruyff dragged United back into the game in front of a Premiership record crowd of 54,943 when he marked his home debut with a superb header from Nicky Butt's 70th minute centre.

And with United finally beginning to believe in themselves, they grabbed a point eight minutes from time.

Denis Irwin found space on the right and his cross deflected off John Ebbrell to head towards goal.

Unsworth had to go for it, but his effort to clear the ball only succeeding in turning it into his own net.

That seemed excitement enough, but in time addd on both sides should have won it.

First Ferguson, so impressive with his two goals, allowed Schmeichel to save low to his right after Gary Speed allowed substitute Tony Grant's cross to run through to him.

Then Speed himself squandered a great opening from another Grant pass and right at the death Cruyff squeezed a shot wide after bursting through the middle.

Alex Ferguson did not attempt to hide his displeasure, guided away from referee Graham Poll by his assistant Brian Kidd and a steward yet nobody else in the ground could have been unhappy at such a breathless encounter.

But the final drama could never have been dreamed of in the opening spell, as United, with Ryan Giggs suprisingly back after injury in place of Paul Scholes and Karel Poborsky probing down the right, had thrown themselves at the visitors.

Craig Short hacked desperately over his own bar after Poborsky had demonstrated his burning pace, and then when Giggs shrugged Short aside to advance down the left, the Czech `Express Train' was a fraction away with a delicate chip.

Earl Barrett then did just enough to prevent Butt turning in a Giggs cross, Phil Neville had a goal ruled out for offside and Eric Cantona chipped weakly after being fed by Giggs.

Everton had been on the back foot but after Graham Stuart headed wide of a gaping net in the 26th minute they took control with two in six minutes as Ferguson delivered his bolts from the Goodison blue.

Barrett's failure to run down the right forced the mercilessly-booed Kanchelskis' hand, although when he turned the ball in to Ferguson, with his back to goal and Gary Pallister behind him, there seemed little danger.

That was counting without Ferguson's skill, as the giant Scot took one touch to find a bit of space and then unleashed a left-footer on the turn from 18 yards that flew in.

It was the first league goal Schmeichel had conceded at Old Trafford in 1996, but in the 41st minute there was another, and this time the Dane had to take the blame.

Admittedly, Ferguson did well to chest down to Gary Speed, and Hinchcliffe even better with his first-time cross, but Schmeichel should have claimed the ball.

His mis-timed leap saw the ball elude him, and Ferguson, more alive then David May, had a simple task to head down and into the vacant net.

Ferguson the manager acted at the break, sending on Brian McClair for Poborsky with David Beckham moving out to the right, but while United came again, resilient Everton now had something to hold.

Something to hold, and Neville Southall in goal, and after Hinchcliffe had struck the bar with a free-kick the Welshman demonstrated his brilliance to somehow deny Giggs when he met Beckham's excellent cross six yards out.

How vital that was was shown in the 70th minute, when Cruyff rose high to meet Butt's centre 14 yards out to power the bll into Southall's top corner.

Suddenly, the crowd sprang to life, roarig United forward in search of the equaliser. Mr Poll went from hero to villian in their eyes when he ruled Short had fouled Butt only to give the free-kick outside the box.

Cantona's effort came to nothing, but it was all hands to the Everton pump. Butt was a whisker wide, Cantona miscontrolled six yards out and it looked as if it was not to be.

But the Theatre of Dreams is all about passion and drama, and so it showed in that amazing last few minutes. The season really has come alive.