CarlingNet - No 1 for Match Reports

Everton v Man United 22/03/97 3.00

Everton                 (0) 0 Man United              (1) 2 FT
                              Solskjaer 35
                              Cantona 79

United are right on course for their fourth FA Carling Premiership title in the last five seasons.

Goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Eric Cantona took them to a 2-0 victory today and put a little bit of daylight between them and their closest rivals.

United are now six points clear of Liverpool, who face third-placed Arsenal at Highbury on Monday.

Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson promised he would field a full strength side against Everton despite the European Cup trip to Porto in midweek - and he was as good as his word.

United have now suffered only one defeat in the last 18 games and that is magnificent form at such a crucial stage of the season.

But their mood of elation was tempered by injuries to defender Gary Pallister and midfielder David Beckham, who both limped off.

Ryan Giggs returned to the United side after a hamstring injury but Everton almost made the breakthrough after six minutes when Earl Barrett delivered a long throw into the area.

Dave Watson got on the end of it but his goal-bound effort was diverted to safety by a visiting defender.

Everton striker Duncan Ferguson then picked up a yellow card for a challenge on David May.

The United defender followed him into the book for lunging at Graham Stuart.

The home side had a lot possession in the first half but the title contenders looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

Roy Keane fired over the top before Solskjaer put them ahead 10 minutes before the break.

There seemed nothing on at all when the Norwegian striker picked the ball up 20 yards out.

But he steadied himself and left keeper Paul Gerrard stranded with the accuracy of his effort, the ball nestling in the bottom corner.

Everton had loud appeals for a penalty waved away when Stuart appeared to be held back by substitute Ronny Johnsen.

Instead they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box which came to nothing.

Ferguson almost brought the home side level immediately after the break when he latched onto a pass from Stuart on the edge of the area, only to drag the ball wide.

Then Keane squandered a glorious chance of putting United further ahead after Cantona released him with a glorious through-ball.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder's first touch was poor and keeper Paul Gerrard was able to race off his line and clear.

United continued to look threatening every time they broke forward and Gerrard did well to beat away a shot from Beckham after Solskjaer had carved out the opening.

Everton were being subjected to severe pressure and they cracked again in the 79th minute after a blunder by keeper Gerrard.

He came out to try and intercept a long deep cross from Beckham on the right. Instead he only succeeded in flapping at the ball.

It fell at the feet of United's mercurial Frenchman Cantona, who swept the ball home with ease.

Everton are in a crisis and have won only twice in the last 14 league games. While United are looking to Europe again, they are heading towards the Nationwide League.