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Manchester United's top-four aspirations suffered a setback as Louis van Gaal's side were blown away 3-0 by clinical Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
EPL PHOTOS: Leicester surprise again, Man City win
Everton were more motivated and aggressive than us: Van Gaal
First-half goals from James McCarthy and John Stones put hosts Everton in control at Goodison Park and substitute Kevin Mirallas sealed victory on the counter-attack late on.
Fourth-placed United enjoyed plenty of possession but lacked any cutting edge with striker Radamel Falcao's frustration complete when he had consolation goal disallowed for offside.
Defeat, following last week's reverse against Chelsea, leaves United still a comfortable seven points above fifth-placed Liverpoool although that gap could be sliced to four if Liverpool win their game in hand at Hull City on Tuesday.
United could have gone second with a victory, at least until Sunday's late game beweeen Arsenal and leaders Chelsea, but they went behind after five minutes when Everton swiftly moved out of defence and McCarthy burst between Paddy McNair and Daley Blind to poke his shot past United David De Gea.
It proved a frustrating afternoon for former Everton players Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini.
Fellaini wasted a great chance to equalise and was booked for hacking down Seamus Coleman shortly afterwards.
Everton increaesd their lead with a powerful Stones header from a corner that Ashley Young, positioned on the goal line, could not keep out of the net.
Everton completed their biggest win over United for 23 years in the 84th minute when Mirallas charged through from deep to finish cooly with United's defence expecting an offside flag to be raised against Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea hold Arsenal to edge closer to title
Arsenal missed the chance to halt Chelsea's march towards the Premier League title with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to the runaway leaders at The Emirates on Sunday.
In a London derby with few clear chances, Chelsea produced a typically organised display to frustrate the hosts and preserve their 10-point lead at the top with five games left.
Jose Mourinho's side have 77 points and a win over Leicester City in midweek would leave them all but certain of their first league title since 2010. Second-placed Manchester City have 67, having played a game more, level with Arsenal in third.
