Manchester United, looking for a seventh straight win in all competitions, had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Everton. The Reds went ahead in the 22nd minute through Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher.

But at the other end United old boy Phil Neville supplied the cross from which midfielder Marouane Fellaini headed in a 63rd minute equaliser.

The draw leaves United five points behind leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, who face one another at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he substituted Wayne Rooney to stop the former Everton player being sent off.

Rooney was booked in the second half for a late tackle on Mikel Arteta and then angered the home support by kissing the badge on his United shirt.

Ferguson said he was unhappy with the way his players were not protected by Wiley from Everton's physical approach.

He said: "I don't think the referee protected our players enough. In saying that we've only ourselves to blame (for not winning).

"I just didn't think he gave our players enough protection. I may be churlish in that in the sense that we've dropped two points. The referee has to make sure the product is good.

Ferguson said: "The way the referee was behaving I feared he may be sent off, for no reason of course. Just the way the crowd were reacting in getting him booked."