Man Utd 1-0 Everton

Manchester United turned up the pressure on the Premier League's chasing pack and re-wrote the record books with victory over Everton at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 44th-minute penalty - awarded after Mikel Arteta fouled Michael Carrick - put them five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea before they meet at Anfield on Sunday.

And in recording a 12th successive top-flight clean sheet, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar eclipsed the previous league record of 1,104 minutes without conceding a goal, set by Reading's Steve Death in 1979.

United deserved their victory and could have won by more, but they were made to work for the win by an Everton side displaying all their trademark defensive resilience.

Former United keeper Tim Howard saved well from Ji-Sung Park and Carlos Tevez, while Ronaldo also hit the post from 20 yards in the first half.

Phelan points to all-round effort

Everton - admittedly stripped of almost all of their recognised attacking strength - created few openings and Van der Sar rarely looked in danger of missing out on his place in history.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson can now relax after another efficient rather than spectacular display, and watch his two closest rivals go into combat on Sunday knowing victory is essential if they are to keep United firmly in their sights.

Carrick orchestrated United's performance in midfield and Tevez was busy in attack, but in the end they had to be grateful for a narrow victory.

United were presented with the opportunity to move away from the pursuing pack in the title race - but they faced an Everton side lifted by influential pair Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini passing fitness tests.

The first 45 minutes took the predictable shape of United working all their attacking options, but running into Everton's blue wall of defiance.

Record is a bonus - Van der Sar

Former United goalkeeper Howard was in early action, making a last-ditch save to turn away Park's cross and then blocking Tevez's effort from only eight yards with his legs.

Ronaldo came close to piercing the Everton rearguard after 25 minutes when his low shot took a deflection, only to strike a post and roll agonisingly across the goal-line to safety.

Everton's best form of response was the left-sided partnership of Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines. They worked a succession of promising openings, but the quality of delivery was poor and Van der Sar was rarely troubled.