EPL: Everton stun Manchester United, dent Red Devils' Champions League chances

London Everton made a mockery of the Premier League table as they beat Manchester United 30 in fine style on Sunday to dent the visitors hopes of direct entry into the Champions LeagueEvertons Belgian striker Kevin Mirallas L scores past Manchester Uniteds Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea 2R to make it 30 during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison park on April 26 2015 PicAFPHad United won at Merseyside they would have climbed into second place But this defeat their third in as many league visits to Goodison Park left Louis van Gaals side fourth in the table with four matches to play as goals from James McCarthy John Stones and Kevin Mirallas saw Everton rise into 10th placeOnly the top three teams in the Premier League at the end of the season go straight into the first round of the Champions League with the side finishing fourth facing the unwanted prospect of a qualifying roundAnd United are not yet certain of fourth given they lead Liverpool who are fifth by seven points having played a game more than their bitter rivalsUnited manager van Gaal said his side whove now lost eight league matches this season had been outfought by EvertonWe have always had more fighting spirit on the pitch and I think that this is the first match that the other team have shown more of that than us the Dutchman told Sky SportsThis was the first match when I saw a team that was more motivated and aggressive than us It is not good but we are human beingsVan Gaal whose team featuring former Everton favourites Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini were repeatedly undone on the counterattack added We have to see that our opponents will defend more and cope with that as a club Everton deserved to win when the result is fair you can live with itMeanwhile delighted Everton manager Roberto Martinez said I thought we were well worth a threegoal lead and that speaks volumes To keep the concentration for 90 minutes and keep a clean sheet was magnificentIt took Everton who kickedoff 24 points behind United just five minutes to open the scoring in front of their own fans as McCarthy surged between flimsy challenges from Paddy McNair and Daley Blind before his low shot beat United goalkeeper David de GeaEverton doubled their lead 10 minutes before halftime when Stones powered in a header from a corner that beat both de Gea and Ashley Young stationed on the lineThe second half saw a 74thminute goal from Belgium international Mirallas secure Evertons victoryRoss Barkleys ball forward appeared to be aimed at the offside Romelu Lukaku But Lukaku showing impressive awareness opted out of receiving the ball and with United waiting for a flag that never came the onside Mirallas raced beyond his teammate and swept the ball in with referee Andre Marriner letting the goal stand