Hard-working Toffeemen shattered by Scholes

Hard-working Everton were left shattered by a Paul Scholes-inspired blitz which sent them spinning to defeat at Old Trafford tonight.

With just three minutes remaining, the Toffeemen appeared to have weathered the best United had to offer and seemed certain to emerge with a creditable point.

Instead, the Red Devils summoned up a vicious late twist, with Scholes twice firing home with devastatingly powerful strikes, Ruud van Nistelrooy splitting the efforts by smashing in a penalty after David Weir had been red carded for pulling down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

It was harsh luck on David Moyes’ side, who have not managed to beat United in 15 attempts now, but said everything about the brilliance of Scholes, who dragged his side back to within six points of Premiership leaders Arsenal with an amazing late double.

There appeared to be little danger when van Nistelrooy aimlessly headed a Ryan Giggs cross in his direction on the edge of the area.

But Scholes set his sights, took one step back and drove his shot along the ground and past a helpless Richard Wright.

Even better was to follow when a loose ball from a Phil Neville tackle fell to the England man 25 yards out.

With the same deadly efficiency, Scholes unleashed a bullet which flashed into the top corner before Wright had a chance to move.

By then, Everton were a beaten bunch, any chance of a point evaporating when Weir hauled down Solskjaer who had chased into the box to collect van Nistelrooy’s through ball, giving the Dutchman a chance to net his sixth goal in five outings.

The Merseysiders could barely believe it as they looked at the scoreboard at the end.

The slickness of the home side’s approach play in the opening period might have put them in front but Everton defended with such resolve and energy when Wright trotted in at half-time, he had not been forced into a serious save.

The former Arsenal keeper did have to race from his line on a couple of occasions to collect David Beckham through balls and the England skipper should have done better when he charged onto Laurent Blanc’s pass before chipping harmlessly at Wright when he appeared to be caught between shooting and a pull back to his advancing team-mates.

But Everton could argue they had the clearest opportunity of the first half when Thomas Gravesen robbed Nicky Butt in midfield and set the Toffeemen on an attack which Neville did well to hold up but should have been punished when Tomasz Radzinski fed Kevin Campbell.

Beckham and van Nistelrooy both fired wide from decent positions and at times the Everton midfield seemed bemused by the quality of United’s approach work.

One flowing move out of defence was a particular joy, Juan Veron, Neville, Beckham and Scholes all involved in releasing Giggs only for Joseph Yobo to shepherd the Welshman away at the expense of a corner.

Veron had earned the praise of his manager for his recent performances, in particular his brilliant

goal against Olympiakos.

He illuminated a drab start to the second half with a superb lofted pass with the outside of his foot which set Mikael Silvestre away in the box.

Silvestre’s cross was not a bad one but, against the imposing and solid Everton defence, Giggs was unable to gain enough strength on his header to divert the ball towards goal.

Any doubts over John O’Shea’s ability to stand in for Rio Ferdinand were dispelled when the young Irishman showed admirable composure in refusing to dive in with a reckless tackle after the hard-working Gravesen tried to release Radzinski.

Moments later, O’Shea did even better to intercept another pass aimed at Radzinski as the Canadian seemed set to race clear.

In between, Barthez was caught on one of his strolls outside the penalty area, the eccentric Frenchman piling through a crowd of Everton bodies and eventually dribbling away with the ball.

Drawing encouragement from their own attacks, the visitors pushed forward, giving their opponents more space as a result and turning the game into a far more open contest.

Barthez produced a one-handed save to deny Radzinski with no Everton attacker available to knock in the rebound, while the introduction of Solskjaer for Veron gave United’s attacking play a greater edge.

The Norwegian only needed a firm touch to send a powerful low Beckham cross flying into the net but instead faintly diverted the ball past the post.

Solskjaer then teed up van Nistelrooy for the best chance of the match with a superbly cushioned header which the Dutchman controlled on his chest before blasting his close range volley over.

It looked like the end. It was only the beginning.