Manchester United [ Images ] finished with nine men in a 1-0 defeat at Everton on Wednesday.

Everton striker Duncan Ferguson headed Everton's winner in the 55th minute and they took charge after a 72nd-minute red card for United's Gary Neville [ Images ], who kicked the ball at a section of the Goodison Park crowd.

United midfielder Paul Scholes was dismissed in stoppage time for a second booking as Alex Ferguson's [ Images ] men stayed third on 67 points, four points adrift of Arsenal [ Images ].

Everton's first league win over United for 10 years cemented their hold on fourth place and a slot in the Champions League [ Images ] qualifying round by moving on to 57 points.

They stay three points and a game in hand ahead of Merseyside rivals Liverpool, who won 2-1 at Portsmouth.