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Monday, April 20, 2009

Player Ratings: Manchester United 0-0 Everton


It required penalties but Everton ousted Manchester United to book themselves a date with Chelsea in the FA Cup final.


MANCHESTER UNITED

Foster 6.0 - Looked nervy from the outset and almost got himself in trouble trying to dribble around Saha in the first half. Another shaky moment late on saw him hit Vaughan with a clearance.

Rafael Da Silva 7 - A moment of inexperience saw him bring down Baines and he was booked on the half-hour mark but he did well to deny Pienaar just before the break and looked good on his return to the side.

Ferdinand 7.5 - United look so much more confident at the back with him in the side and he was imperious in defence. Awful penalty though.

Vidic 8 - After a slump in form, he looked back to his best and alongside Ferdinand formed a fearsome partnership.

Fabio Da Silva 6 - Allowed Neville in early on but put in a solid shift before injury saw his afternoon end early.

Welbeck 7 - Wasteful at times but looked lively and was always willing to run forwards. Curled a great shot over the bar late on.

Gibson 6.5 - Struggled to get into the game initially but improved and justified his inclusion in the team.

Anderson 7 - Covered an awful lot of ground, getting back to help his defence as well as prompting things going forwards. Still looks hopeless in front of goal, mind you, and wasted some good set pieces.

Park 6.5 - Full of running, as ever, and had a decent effort just wide on the hour mark but replaced shortly afterwards after producing little.

Tevez 6 - Typical Tevez, effervescent as ever and didn’t give up but it simply wasn’t his day.

Macheda 6.5 - Didn’t look out of place and had a strong early shot that flew just wide. Combined well with Tevez and Welbeck but couldn’t continue his fairytale start to his United career with another goal.

Substitutes

Evra: 6.5 – Replaced an injured Fabio but still looks far from his best.

Scholes: 6.0 – Brought some experience to the midfield.

Berbatov: 5.0 - Came on but had little impact and an awful penalty summed up his afternoon.

EVERTON

Howard 8 - Flapped at a corner late on but that was his only error and made himself a hero with some good penalty saves.

Hibbert 7 - A few shaky moments against Welbeck but provided good width and combined well with Osman

Jagielka 7.5 - Might have conceded a penalty for a challenge on Welbeck but escaped, looked impressive otherwise and kept his nerve to net the decisive spot kick..

Lescott 8 - Brilliant challenge to deny Welbeck mid-way through the first half and a dominant display by the centre-half.

Baines 7.5 - A super display down the left, always looked to get forward, provided some good crosses and banged home a smashing penalty.

Osman 6.0 - Willing to get forwards and try his luck on goal but was too often second to the ball and looked tired.

Neville 7.0 - Grew into the game and was a commanding presence who led his team by example.

Fellaini 6.5 - Found it hard going against Vidic and Ferdinand but still always looked a threat in the air.

Pienaar 6.0 - Some tricky moments but little end-product.

Cahill 6.0 - Manchester United kept him very quiet in truth and aside from a great shot just after the break he offered little.

Saha 6.0 - Almost profited from Foster's hesitancy early on and a good header set up Pienaar shortly afterwards but had few sights of goal.

Substitutes

Rodwell: 6.0 – Some nice moments on the ball and valuable experience gained.

Vaughan: 6.5 - Came on late and could have won it but a scuffed shot was deflected wide. Crucially scored his penalty.

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