Everton 3-1 Manchester United: champions come unstuck against Toffees

Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell came off the bench to fire Everton to a stunning win over Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United this afternoon.

Gosling replaced Diniyar Bilyaletdinov - who had earlier cancelled out a Dimitar Berbatov strike - and fired the Merseysiders ahead with 15 minutes remaining at Goodison Park.

Rodwell then entered the fray three minutes from time and capped a fine comeback with a superb breakaway goal.

United made four changes as they looked to apply pressure on leaders Chelsea. Two of them were enforced as Rio Ferdinand and Nani served domestic suspensions while Rafael and Paul Scholes also made way from the side that won at AC Milan in midweek.

Dimitar Berbatov came in to join former Everton star Wayne Rooney up front while Antonio Valencia also returned and Gary Neville and Wes Brown filled in at the back.

Another defender, Nemanja Vidic, was included on the bench at Goodison Park after almost two months out with a nerve problem.

Everton brought in Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for the injured Tim Cahill while John Heitinga replaced Joseph Yobo.

Neville's return as captain brought him up against his brother Phil, the Everton skipper.

Everton, seeking their first home win over United for five years, started well with Leon Osman pressing forward and beating Jonny Evans but he was crowded out in the box and squeezed his shot wide.

Park Ji-Sung created an opportunity for United by getting forward and pulling the ball back but Darren Fletcher shot well over.

Heitinga appealed for a penalty after being pushed in the back by Rooney and Louis Saha then tested Edwin van der Sar with a fierce strike.

United survived and then grabbed the lead after 15 minutes as Sylvain Distin failed to cut out a cross from Antonio Valencia and Berbatov fired in off the underside of the bar.

Everton produced the perfect response and were level three minutes later as former United striker Saha got the better of Evans in the air.

Bilyaletdinov picked up the loose ball and lashed in a ferocious equaliser from 25 yards.

Everton pushed forward again and Bilyaletdinov went close to a second from a Leighton Baines cross but the Russian was unable to keep his shot down as Patrice Evra slid in.

United came back with Berbatov playing in Rooney but the 25-goal striker was forced too wide by Phil Neville after taking the ball past Tim Howard.

Rooney, who appeared to be relishing the challenge on his old stomping ground, then fed Park as United broke again but the Korean shot straight at Howard.

Everton missed a glorious opportunity seven minutes before the break as a Baines cross struck Brown and fell for Donovan but the American scuffed his shot from inside the six-yard box.

Everton had the first opportunity of the second half from a free-kick after Fletcher pushed Osman as he ran towards goal but Bilyaletdinov shot over.

Fletcher went closer at the other end after being set up by Rooney but the Scot's effort flew narrowly wide.

Rooney then clipped a fine cross to the back post for Berbatov but the Bulgarian was unable to make firm contact with his header.

Rooney continued to work hard but showed signs of frustration after beating Mikel Arteta but running into Distin.

Saha shrugged off Gary Neville to create an opening but then sliced so wide the ball went out for a throw-in.

Rooney showed a touch of skill to flick the ball against the bar but it had already gone out for a goal-kick before Park crossed.

Dan Gosling replaced Bilyaletdinov with 20 minutes remaining and almost had an immediate chance as Steven Pienaar threaded a ball into the box - but Evra did well to intercept.

United failed to learn from that incident and five minutes later Valencia allowed Pienaar to run unchecked to the byline and cross for Gosling.

This time Evra was unable to intervene and Gosling beat him to the ball to stab home from eight yards.

United were almost caught out again by the same move moments later but Arteta completely missed his kick.

Rooney almost equalised as he fired wide from a free-kick but Everton were not to be denied.

The Toffees then capped a superb fightback as substitute Jack Rodwell broke from halfway late on and fired low past Van der Sar.

Everton vs Manchester United pictures, stats and as it happened commentary