After playing after a whole raft of their relegation rivals in recent weeks, Everton had the opportunity to get points on the board early against a Manchester United side busy fighting on four fronts but instead fell to an all-too-predictable 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
Going into the 12:30pm kick-off unbeaten in their last four matches, Blues possessed at least a modicum of hope going into what has long been a difficult venue for them.
Yet despite fashioning a huge opening for Ellis Simms when the game was still goalless, the rookie striker failed to show the kind of conviction he displayed coming on at Chelsea last month and rolled a tame shot wide of goal.
