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Manchester United turned up the pressure on the Premier League’s chasing pack and re-wrote the record books with victory over Everton at Old Trafford.

Goal

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 44th minute penalty – awarded after Mikel Arteta fouled Michael Carrick – put them five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea before they meet at Anfield on Sunday.

And in recording a 12th successive top-flight clean sheet, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar eclipsed the previous league record of 1,104 minutes without conceding a goal, set by Reading’s Steve Death in 1979.

United deserved their victory and could have won by more, but they were made to work for the win by an Everton side displaying all their trademark defensive resilience.

Former United keeper Tim Howard saved well from Ji-Sung Park and Carlos Tevez, while Ronaldo also hit the post from 20 yards in the first half.

Everton – admittedly stripped of almost all of their recognised attacking strength – created few openings and Van der Sar rarely looked in danger of missing out on his place in history.

THIS SEASON’S REVERSE FIXTURE

Everton 1-1 Manchester United
25 October 2008 – Ref: Alan Wiley
Everton scorer: Fellaini 63
Man Utd scorer: Fletcher 22

REFEREE

Mark Halsey (Lancashire)