Everton 3 Man Utd 1

WAYNE ROONEY may have dominated the pre-match build-up but it was supersubs Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell who stole the headlines.

Rooney always finds himself under the spotlight whenever he returns to his former club.

And all the signs pointed to him ending up on the winning side when Dimitar Berbatov fired Manchester United in front.

But Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's stunning strike put Everton back on level terms in the first half before Gosling put them ahead 14 minutes from time.

And Rodwell, who had been on the pitch for just over a minute, hammered the final nail in United's coffin with a fine solo goal late on.

Dimitar Berbatov opens the scoring

Wayne Rooney congratulates Dimitar Berbatov

Antonio Valencia holds off Landon Donovan

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov equalises

Berbatov opened the scoring in the 16th minute after good work from Antonio Valencia.

The winger ran at a hesitant Leighton Baines before drilling the ball across the box.

Sylvain Distin failed to cut out the low cross and Berbatov had time to take a touch, steady himself and smash it home.

But Everton drew level just three minutes later through Bilyaletdinov's thunderous drive.

Tim Howard's clearance fell kindly for the winger and he cracked home a left-foot drive which left Edwin Van der Sar rooted to the spot.

The champions responded immediately and came close to regaining the lead after 25 minutes.

Rooney rounded Howard but the ball bounced awkwardly off his shin, allowing Phil Neville to race back and put it out for a corner.

United maintained the pressure only to see the next big opportunity fall to Everton.

The ball dropped in front of Landon Donovan outside the six-yard box with just Van der Sar to beat, only for the striker to miskick when it appeared easier to score.

The second half began with a moment of controversy when Darren Fletcher was yellow-carded for a foul on Leon Osman.

TV replays showed there was only minimal contact but United breathed a sigh of relief when Baines curled the resulting free-kick high and wide.

Gary Neville challenges Landon Donovan

The visitors gradually began to impose themselves again and Rooney carved out a half-chance for Fletcher in the 51st minute.

Roo guided the ball back to the midfielder who drilled narrowly wide with a well-struck shot.

Berbatov was next to go close for United just minutes later when he headed wide from a pinpoint cross.

The game began to swing from end to end but it was the visitors who looked more likely to score again.

Dan Gosling puts Everton in front

Dan Gosling turns away after scoring

Rooney came close to doing just that with an audacious backheel. But his flicked effort crashed against the bar and play was pulled back as the ball had already crossed the goalline before the striker connected.

Alex Ferguson then threw Paul Scholes and Gabriel Obertan into action in place of Berbatov and Park Ji Sung.

Everton also made a switch in the 70th minute with Gosling replacing goalscorer Bilyaletdinov.

Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes cannot believe what's happening

And it was the young midfielder who put the hosts ahead six minutes later after Steven Pienaar broke free down the left.

Pienaar's cross was met by the onrushing Gosling and his prodded effort lifted the roof off Goodison Park.

Ferguson made his last roll of the dice with 10 minutes to go, introducing Michael Owen, but it was Toffees boss David Moyes who had the last laugh.

Moyes sent Rodwell on in place of Pienaar with two minutes left — and it was the sub who sealed the win with an emphatic 90th-minute finish.

Everton: Howard, Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Donovan, Osman, Arteta, Bilyaletdinov (Gosling 70), Pienaar (Rodwell 88), Saha. Subs not used: Nash, Yobo, Vaughan, Yakubu, Coleman. Booked: Arteta, Pienaar, Saha, Osman, Rodwell.

Jack Rodwell scores the third

Goals: Bilyaletdinov 19, Gosling 76, Rodwell 90.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Brown, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Valencia (Owen 81), Fletcher, Carrick, Park (Obertan 66), Rooney, Berbatov (Scholes 66). Subs not used: Foster, Vidic, Rafael Da Silva, Gibson. Booked: Fletcher.

Goals: Berbatov 16.

Att: 39,448

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Jack Rodwell celebrates with Phil Neville

................................................................................................