PREMIER LEAGUE: Hernandez the hero for Man Utd with late winner
Manchester United left it late to extend their lead at the of the Premiership to nine points after a narrow 1-0 success over Everton at Old Trafford.
If Manchester United claim a record breaking 19th League title this campaign it will be down to their form on home turf.
They have now won 18 of their last 19 league games at Old Trafford, and faced and Everton side who have not won there for almost 19 years.
Until six minutes from time it seemed as if the Toffees, thanks to some excellent keeping from the big American Tim Howard, would leave with a point, until Javier Hernandez got on the end of an Antonio Valencia cross to head home his 19th goal of the campaign from close range.
Everton may have rode their luck at times but they defended superbly even if the host's did miss a hatful of chances to score.
The goalscorer had earlier been denied twice by Howard whilst for the visitor's Jack Rodwell's deflected effort brought a fine save from Edwin Van der Sar.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side now only need to pick up seven points from their last four games to be assured of the Premiership crown.
Referee: Peter Walton
Venue: Old Trafford Attendance: 75,300
Man Utd scorers: Hernandez 84 Everton scorers:
MAN UTD 01 Van der Sar 05 Ferdinand 20 Fabio Da Silva 22 O'Shea (Evra 57) 23 Evans 08 Anderson (yellow card) 17 Nani (Owen 63) 25 Valencia 28 Gibson (Giggs 74) 10 Rooney 14 Hernandez
Substitutes 29 Kuszczak, 03 Evra, 06 Brown, 21 Rafael, 11 Giggs, 16 Carrick, 07 Owen
EVERTON 24 Howard (yellow card) 02 Hibbert 03 Baines 06 Jagielka 15 Distin 18 Neville 23 Coleman (Gueye 75) 07 Bilyaletdinov (Cahill 46 (yellow card) 21 Osman 26 Rodwell 16 Beckford (Anichebe 46)
Substitutes 01 Mucha, 30 Shkodran Mustafi, 34 Duffy, 17 Cahill, 19 Gueye, 27 Vellios, 28 Anichebe
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