Everton took the lead six minutes before the break when Mikel Arteta charged through on goal. Although he shot straight at Edwin van der Sar, the ball broke for Leon Osman who cleverly turned the rebound on to Steven Pienaar who rolled home from close range.

However, United hit back with goals two minutes either side of half-time. First Nani's cross was diverted home by the unmarked Darren Fletcher and then Nemanja Vidic was left free to head home another Nani centre just after the break.

Dimitar Berbatov scored his third goal of the season on 65 minutes after being put clear by a wonderful long ball from Paul Scholes. The Bulgarian took one touch to control and escape Sylvain Distin and another to fire in low with the outside of his right foot from 18 yards.

In a grandstand finale Tim Cahill pulled one back in stoppage-time when he headed in a cross from Leighton Baines and a minute later Arteta drilled in from 15 yards via a deflection off Scholes.