Vidic is United hero

Nemanja Vidic grabbed only Manchester United's fourth goal of the season to secure a fortunate 1-0 win at Goodison Park that saw them momentarily move top of the Barclays Premier League.

The Serbian's effort, a near-post header from Nani's corner, enabled United to record a 13th win in 16 visits to Goodison Park and also keep pace with their major rivals.

Although United gradually assumed dominance in a swift-moving encounter, David Moyes' men succeeded in restricting them to a series of long-range efforts.

Indeed, had Ayegbeni Yakubu not been hauled back by referee Alan Wiley for a debatable push on Wes Brown, the Nigerian would have been clean through.

Wiley then annoyed Paul Scholes by booking him for punching the ball away in frustration at being penalised for handball.

If the opening period had been short on goalmouth action, an expectant crowd did not have to wait long for a genuine chance in the second period as Andrew Johnson rose to guide Mikel Arteta's corner towards the far post, only for Scholes to volley off the line.

Scholes was certainly in the thick of things and when Carlos Tevez combined brilliantly with Ryan Giggs to set the midfielder up with a potential goal of the season, the midfielder could only thrash his volley over.

United's frustrations only increased by a yellow card issued to Cristiano Ronaldo for a dive inside the area under pressure from Leon Osman.

Yet, just as it appeared time was ticking down to yet another blank day for United, up popped Vidic at the near post to power home Nani's near-post corner.

Belatedly, Everton threw men forward looking for an equaliser and Scotland's midweek hero, James McFadden, had a shot magnificently saved by Van der Sar, before Rio Ferdinand blocked Victor Anichebe's follow-up.