Instant Reaction: Everton does the league double over Manchester United

Buck Dharma of the Blue Öyster Cult once wrote: All our times have come, here, but now they're gone. Seasons don't fear the reaper, nor do the wind, the sun or the rain.

We can be like they are...Come on Moysey baby...Don't fear the reaper.

Who ever this is should get a free season ticket hilarious #GrimReaper pic.twitter.com/aLQTwRIgcT

— Mick Willo (@Mickisblue) April 20, 2014

For the first time in 44 years, Everton have done the season double on Manchester United. Time to go ahead and order that Roberto Martinez statue? Maybe not yet, that Crystal Palace match is still a thorn in my figurative side, especially if it ends up costing us 4th.

Don't get me wrong, I love Roberto, he's been amazing and I'm not mad at all. Just still a little disappointed from that loss.

That said. ROBERTO BEAT MOYES TWICE.

Anyway, on to the match.

You really couldn't have asked for a better first half. It's always dangerous to allow a team like United to control the ball so much, but when you're organized defensively and take advantage of your counter attack opportunities, it works.

• Despite the obvious glut of possession early for United, the Blues handled it well defensively, even if there were moments where it felt like United were being allowed a little too much space in the attacking third. In the end, the persistent, quick attacking and crosses into the box paid off as Phil Jones committed a clear handball -- one SO obvious that even Mark Clattenburg had to call it -- and Leighton Baines scored a penalty to give Everton a 1-0 lead.
• Just before halftime, despite United to continue to dominate possession, Everton doubled the lead when Kevin Mirallas raced by the defensive line and buried a shot past David de Gea. Mirallas was kept onside by Alexander Büttner, who was far too deep and blew the United attempt to catch the Belgian offside.

As for the second half, it worked too. If anything it was boring, which was just fine with me considering Everton had a 2-0 lead.

• Losing Sylvain Distin to a hamstring injury at halftime was cause for concern but Antolin Alcaraz handled himself fine alongside John Stones. If Distin is forced to miss extended time, at least Alcaraz will have a positive performance to build on.
• Wayne Rooney's "fair tackle" according to Mark Clattenburg.

• Steven Naismith's miss in the 77th minute -- he mis-hit a cross from Kevin Mirallas in front of an open net -- was a weird experience. There was a time that I'd just say, of course he missed. Now, you just expect him to bury that. That's a good thing. Naismith forced a nice save four minutes later from David De Gea...much better.
• Seamus Coleman. Seamus Coleman. SEAMUS COLEMAN.