Everton 1 Manchester United 0: Fellaini on fire as Toffees ruin Van Persie's big night

Robin van Persie had a Manchester United debut to forget as Everton's Marouane Fellaini stole the show at Goodison Park.
Fellaini capped a superb individual performance with the only goal of the game in the second half.
Van Persie, United's new £24million signing, came off the bench but, like the rest of his team-mates, could not cope with David Moyes' men.

Jump for joy: Marouane Fellaini gets up to head the ball past United keeper David De Gea

David De Gea had to be at his best in the first half, saving from Leon Osman and then keeping out a free-kick from Leighton Baines.
Wayne Rooney had a couple of chances for the visitors but it was the home side, with Fellaini making them tick, who bossed the opening 45 minutes.
Osman then smashed an effort off the crossbar shortly after the restart and Everton kept up the pressure until Fellaini powered home a header just short of the hour mark.
Van Persie left the bench to warm up just after the goal and was on the pitch in place of Danny Welbeck 10 minutes later.
But Everton kept him quiet and deserved the three points.
Full report to follow...

And we're off: Fellaini sprints away to celebrate after scoring for Everton

Fan-tastic: Marouane Fellaini celebrates his goal with Nikica Jelavic in front of the Everton supporters

No fear: Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea clears under pressure

No holding back: Everton left-back Leighton Baines and United winger Nani get stuck in

Welcome to the Premier League: Shinji Kagawa was named in the Manchester United starting XI

On the ball: Robin van Persie warmed up before taking his place on the Manchester United bench

Game for a laugh: Van Persie shares a joke with new team-mate Anderson as he watches the first half

Worth a try: Leon Osman has a go as United skipper Nemanja Vidic keeps a close eye on him

Going it alone: Marouane Fellaini hit the post from a tight angle early in the first half

Experience: Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes tries to get Manchester United going

Hard to handle: Everton striker Nikica Jelavic tries to get away from Patrice Evra (left) and Tom Cleverley

Another new recruit: Kevin Mirallas is introduced to the Everton supporters before the kick-off

Star man: Marouane Fellaini caused Manchester United plenty of problems

Spurs set to beat City to 'new Vieira' as AVB holds talks with midfielder Biton

Andre Villas-Boas is ready to bolster his Tottenham squad with a surprise move for Nir Biton after inviting the Israel midfielder to White Hart Lane for talks.

Biton was expected to join Manchester City, after impressing their coaching staff during a trial at The Etihad Stadium, and has also attracted interest from Everton and Aston Villa.

Centre of attention: Spurs target Nir Biton impressed Manchester City chiefs earlier this summer on trial

 

But Tottenham appear to have seized the initiative, after Biton and FC Ashdod owner Jacky Ben-Zaken flew to London to discuss a deal and make sure there were no problems over a work permit.

Though City were considering a loan move for Biton, Ashdod are short of funds and want to negotiate a permanent deal for a player who has been likened to former Arsenal favourite Patrick Vieira for his midfield athleticism.
Villas-Boas is more concerned about landing a suitable replacement for Real Madrid-bound Luka Modric but sees 20-year old Biton as a useful back-up who would strengthen his central midfield options.

Making a move: Andre Villas-Boas is set to hold talks with Nir Biton, with Spurs keen to sign the Israel midfielder

First RVP, now Kaka? Man United offered Brazil legend in shock loan deal from Real Madrid

Kaka has been offered to Manchester United on a season-long loan as Real Madrid prepare for the arrival of Luka Modric.
Galatasaray and Kaka’s former club AC Milan have also registered their interest in the 2007 World Player of the Year, but United are the biggest draw for the Brazilian.
Sir Alex Ferguson is giving the 30-year-old serious consideration but has fears about his form and fitness after so many injuries.

Benched: Kaka has struggled to impress at Real Madrid

 

United, who could have Robin van Persie on the bench at Everton on Monday, have signed left back Alexander Buttner, 23, for £3.9million from Vitesse Arnhem. They go to Goodison Park without Rio Ferdinand, who has a groin injury.
Ferguson is considering selling Dimitar Berbatov to Sunderland but has decided not to offload anyone else.
Kaka was an unused substitute on Sunday night as Real were held 1-1 by Valencia in their opening game. He has also lost his place in the Brazil squad.
Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra, Angel de Maria and Mesut Ozil all started. Germany midfielder Sami Khedira, who was also on the bench, is further competition and the £30m arrival of Modric from Spurs will push Kaka even further down the queue.

England bound? Kaka (left) could be set to join Manchester United

The Brazilian’s salary is close to the £250,000 a week earned by Van Persie and Wayne Rooney and, although Real are reluctant to let Kaka join a Champions League rival, his wages are a burden considering he will spend most of the season on the bench at the Bernabeu.
Kaka has struggled with injury since he joined Real for a then world record £60m in 2009 after six successful years with AC Milan. But he still managed to make 27 appearances in last season’s La Liga triumph.
Buttner was thrilled to have completed a rapid move to Old Trafford — Kaka or not. He said: ‘If you had told me one week ago that I would be training with and playing for the same team as Robin van Persie, I would have sent you to a mental home!

Done deal: Alexander Buttner has joined United from Vitesse

'This is crazy stuff, beyond all my dreams. I am looking forward to this challenge so much. I am so proud and so glad that it has worked out like this.
‘I’m so glad that it has happened and everything has turned out like this. This is really a dream come true.’
Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher played 90 minutes as an overaged player for United’s Under 21 squad against Stoke on Saturday.

That's a bit flash! City photographer falls victim to Mario's latest prank

New season, same old Mario. It may have been a day to set the benchmark for the year to come, but the Premier League's favourite prankster still found time for some mischief on the opening afternoon.
His hi-jinx didn't involve fireworks this time, but a flash of a different kind as he grabs an expensive piece of camera equipment from Manchester City's club photographer Sharon Latham.
Just before the champions' opening match against Southampton, the unpredictable striker is filmed strolling down the tunnel at the City of Manchester Stadium, casually hi-fiving the young mascots.
Scroll down to watch the video

Balotelli strolls down the tunnel after completing his warm-up, nonchalantly hi-fiving the mascots

He spies club photographer Sharon Latham kneeling on the floor snapping away and makes a grab for her camera

Meanwhile, Latham is crouched on the floor snapping away at him. The switch in Balotelli's mischievous mind goes and he reaches out for the flash, almost dragging the photographer with him as she tries to cling on.
And with a broad smile on his face, the Italian then twists of the lens and walks off the to changing room.
The embarrassed Latham doesn't know where to look and can only laugh at the prank.
The referee Howard Webb, walking down the tunnel behind Balotelli, struggles to hide a smirk as he walks past.

She bravely tries to cling on to her expensive piece of equipment as Balotelli tries to get the flash

The striker proves too strong and gets away with the lens

Balotelli disappears to the dressing room and Latham can only smile at the prank

Balotelli came on for the last 20 minutes of City's 3-2 opening day win against Southampton as a replacement for David Silva.
He reportedly twisted his knee in a pre-match warm down, though City officials played down the extent of the injury.
He's likely to see plenty of match action in the coming weeks as strike partner Sergio Aguero was injured during the game. 
Why always him? Balotelli's latest prank