Man Utd edge out Everton

Solskjaer wheels away with strike partner Van Nistelrooy

Everton 0-2 Manchester United
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Manchester United's championship challenge continued to gather ominous momentum as battling Everton were beaten at Goodison Park.

England captain David Beckham came off the bench to create the opener for Ryan Giggs with 13 minutes left.

And Giggs turned provider to set up the second for Ruud Van Nistelrooy as United survived a spirited Everton challenge to make it a fourth successive league victory.

Everton were left to regret opportunities squandered in an opening period when United's defensive frailties surfaced again.

  Match facts

78mins: Substitute David Beckham crosses for Ryan Giggs to head Man Utd in front

85 mins: Giggs turns supplier with a clever cross for Ruud van Nistelrooy to smash home the second

Walter Smith's side were eventually punished by United's greater all-round quality - and Sir Alex Ferguson's ability to introduce men like Beckham at crucial moments.

Ferguson again chose to leave Beckham on the bench - while Everton gave a full debut to former Old Trafford winger Jesper Blomqvist.

Blomqvist was making his first start since United's 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, and played his full part in a highly-encouraging first-half display by Everton.

The champions enjoyed a greater share of possession, but Everton carved out the better chances against an uncertain United rearguard in the early exchanges..

Everton's injury crisis forced boss Smith to use Dane Thomas Gravesen as an emergency striker.

Neville fouls Radzinski

But he lasted only eight minutes before limping off with an ankle injury sustained in an awkward fall in a challenge with Gary Neville.

Everton knew chances would be at a premium, and they were cursing after 12 minutes when an unmarked David Unsworth blazed wide from only eight yards.

Canadian Tomasz Radzinski's pace was casing United problems, and Gary Neville was cautioned for a foul on the half hour.

United's quality was only being demonstrated in flashes, but the hint of danger was ever-present.

Everton goalkeeper Steve Simonsen was forced to save with his legs from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ryan Giggs is the best in Europe at what he does - his penetration is outstanding and that was a rare headed goal from him

Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson

And as half-time approached, Van Nistelrooy headed narrowly wide under the close attentions of Everton defender Abel Xavier.

Ferguson made the expected change after 55 minutes, replacing Nicky Butt with Beckham.

Everton had penalty appeals waved away after 64 minutes when Gary Neville charged down Scot Gemmill's shot, but referee Uriah Rennie was rightly unmoved.

Van Nistelrooy almost broke the deadlock after 72 minutes when Giggs fed in a brilliant cross, and it needed a brave clearance by Xavier to rescue Everton.

When Manchester United got their superiority, they took their chances and won the game

Everton manager Walter Smith

It was the signal for Everton boss Smith to send on Duncan Ferguson as replacement for Blomqvist, who was understandably tiring.

Everton were hanging on desperately - but their resistance was broken in outstanding fashion with 13 minutes left.

Beckham delivered a perfect cross from the right flank, and Giggs ghosted in unmarked to flash a header past Simonsen into the top corner.

It was harsh on Everton, but in reality they had posed little or no attacking threat after the interval.

And in a last desperate attempt to snatch a point, Everton sent on Paul Gascoigne for Niclas Alexandersson.

It was to no avail as United broke in trademark fashion from an Everton corner to seal the victory.

Giggs turned creator, curling a perfect cross behind the Everton defence for Van Nistelrooy to score from close range.

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Everton: Simonsen, Xavier, Weir, Unsworth, Naysmith, Alexandersson (Gascoigne 82), Gemmill, Gravesen (Moore 8), Blomqvist (Ferguson 73), Watson, Radzinski.
Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Tal.

Man Utd: Barthez, Phil Neville, Blanc, Gary Neville, Silvestre, Veron, Keane, Butt (Beckham 56), Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Solskjaer.
Subs Not Used: Irwin, Carroll, Yorke, Wallwork.
Booked: Gary Neville.
Goals: Giggs 78, van Nistelrooy 85.

Attendance: 39,948.

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield).