Farhad Moshiri 'harsh truth' clear and Manchester United prove it for Everton

Those outside of Everton were always more enamoured by the result than Blues themselves but a decade on from their famous 4-4 draw with Manchester United, both these clubs are still facing huge rebuilding projects in the aftermath of their long-serving Scottish managers. Everton’s eight-goal thriller was seen as the result that derailed United’s title bid (they’d ultimately be edged out on goal difference by on the final day due to Sergio Aguero’s stoppage time winner after “noisy neighbours City had trailed them by eight points at Easter) and was hence celebrated more across Stanley Park, with Blues still licking their wounds following their 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool at Wembley the previous weekend.

The game itself at Old Trafford represented a dramatic comeback from Everton on the day. Just as he’d done against the Reds eight days earlier, Nikica Jelavic fired the Blues ahead on 33 minutes but the league leaders went on to take command.

Former Everton player Wayne Rooney equalised five minutes before half-time, Danny Welbeck put United ahead on 57 minutes and Nani added a third on the hour-mark. Future United man Marouane Fellaini pulled one back for the visitors on 66 minutes but a second from Rooney just three minutes later restored a two-goal cushion.

Jelavic’s second goal on 83 minutes prompted what Ferguson might refer to as “squeaky bum time” and two minutes after that, Steven Pienaar struck to earn the Blues a share of the spoils. Among all of the scoring, there’s a now iconic shot of Alex Ferguson holding opposite number David Moyes’ wrist like he was checking the time as the Everton manager grins and with the benefit of hindsight the image demonstrates the closeness between the pair that