Premier League: Everton v Manchester United

Manchester United's visit to Everton is always an eagerly anticipated event for the Goodison faithful, especially since Wayne Rooney's transfer to Old Trafford. The police are ready as the United team coach pulls up at the ground Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

There is disappointment on the faces of the Everton fans when they realise that Rooney isn't on the coach as he's not been named in United's squad Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Even if the man himself isn't a Goodison today, his presence still looms large at his boyhood club Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Fans arrive at the game and given the lack of interest in the sign on the left, they must have had a filling breakfast before venturing out this morning Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The electronic board confirms it, Rooney's not in the team or on the subs bench. There was some conjecture why he'd been left out after everyone was declared fit the day before, but Fergie later said "We made the decision to leave Wayne out simply because of the terrible abuse he always gets here...we didn't want to subject him to any more of that. We have a fantastic squad at this club and we are prepared to use it." Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Everton start the strongest and boss the first 20 minutes but United start to claw their way back into the game and create a few chances which force some fantastics saves from Tim Howard. Five minutes before half time a long ball is played out of the Everton defence to relieve the pressure, which Evra foolishly tries to clear with an overhead kick just inside his own half and a grateful Mikel Arteta collects the ball... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

...before racing off towards United's goal and firing a low shot which Van der Sar blocks. The ball falls to Osman, who calmly sidefoots a pass left to Pienaar, which takes a melee of United players out of the game, and a grateful Pienaar slides the ball into the net... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

...and the Toffemen celebrate around an angry looking Van der Sar Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Isn't there a saying about being at your most vunerable after you've scored? Just three minutes later Nani picks up the ball on the right, curls a cross into the Everton area, in that uncertain area between defenders and keeper. Into which Darren Fletcher times his run perfectly, and confidently sidefoots into the goal. A number of the Everton faithful in the Gwladys Street end only give his celebrations two out of 5 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Just befoe half-time Ryan Giggs gets outpaced by Tony Hibbert so decides a flying lunging tackle is the order of the day Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The second half starts where the frantic first half left off. Two minutes after the restart Nani puts in another fabulous cross where an unmarked Nemanja Vidic is waiting six yards out to power his header home Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Sir Alex Ferguson instructs his players to press forward whilst David Moyes understandably looks on with a concerned look on his face Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Nani uses his pace to get past Leighton Baines Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

It's a tight battle in the middle of the park as Mikel Arteta and Paul Scholes demonstrate Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

United continue to press and after being denied by Tim Howard, the former United keeper, Berbatov finally gets United's third, and his third of the season. It's a delicious finish into the bottom left hand corner by the United striker with the outside of his right boot Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

This time Nani's pace doesn't work on Baines so he resorts to a bit of good old-fashioned shirt tugging Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

With five minutes to go, Nani spoons his shot and misses the target and a chance for United to go 4-1 up goes begging. But with only 5 minutes to go and being 3-1 up, surely United are safe and have 3 points in the bag? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Hang on what's this? We're approaching the second minute of injury time and Baines races down the left before whipping a cross into the six-yard box. It drops onto the head of a leaping Cahill, and he hammers a header past Van der Sar. There's only a minute to go, though, this is too little too late, surely Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

No it's not!! In almost a carbon copy of what happened a minute before, Baines whips in a cross from the left onto the head of Carhill, however this time the Aussie striker nods the ball down towards the onrushing Mikel Arteta whose goalbound volley hits Paul Scholes and ricochets into the net. Amazing! Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

An ecstatic Mikel Arteta runs off hotly pursued by Fellaini... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

...before they are caught by their team-mates Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The happy expressions of the Everton players are in start contrast to the dejected expressions and body language of Scholes, Giggs and Berbatov Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Whereas the United players will no doubt be facing the famous Fergie hairdryer treatment in the dressing room, referee Martin Atkinson gets to experience the David Moyes version on the pitch after he blows the final whistle. Moyes was incensed that the final whistle went on the stroke of the 3 minutes of injury time just as Everton were on the attack with men over. The Everton boss felt that there should have been further time added due to the two goals scored during injury time. He has a point especially after what happened at Old Trafford in last season's Manchester derby. What a game, who needs Wayne Rooney when you have a match as pulsating as this Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer