Hello! Thanks for joining me this afternoon for what is sure to be a cracker of a tie at Goodison Park. Can Everton make it four consecutive home wins against the Red Devils or will Louis van Gaal's side end their Everton hoodoo?

We've still got about an hour until kickoff, so let's get the team news.

EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway; Barry, McCarthy; Naismith, Barkley, Lennon; Lukaku
Subs: Joel, Kone, Mirallas, Deulofeu, Osman, Mori, Browning

MAN UTD: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Jones, Rojo; Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin; Mata, Herrera, Rooney; Martial
Subs: Johnstone, Blind, Carrick, Lingard, Pereira, Fellaini, Memphis

The big news for Everton comes in defence, where Seamus Coleman and John Stones have both returned from injury to oust Tyias Browning and Ramiro Funes Mori. There's a third alteration further forward, where Aaron Lennon is preferred to Gerard Deulofeu.

Unsurprisingly, Louis van Gaal has rung the changes following the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal. Daley Blind and Ashley Young both miss out and are replaced by Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo. Bastian Schweinsteiger has overcome a thigh problem to start alongside Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield, as Michael Carrick returns to the bench. Anthony Martial continues to lead the line, but perhaps the most startling change is that of Ander Herrara for Memphis Depay.

Hugely welcoming news for Roberto Martinez to have John Stones and Seamus Coleman back in the starting XI. Both players have been courted by sides in the top four in recent months and years, which shows just how important they are.

Gerard Deulofeu struggled in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool a fortnight ago and has been dropped for the pace Aaron Lennon this afternoon. Can his pace cause problems for the Man Utd backline?

One player usually synonymous with Everton who is missing today is Leighton Baines. Roberto Martinez said in midweek that the left-back is still a couple of weeks away from returning.

As for Manchester United, they will be chomping at the bit to put the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal out of their minds. No doubts it's been festering at the forefront of Louis van Gaal's thoughts ever since.

The Man Utd gaffer has had plenty of time to mull over his team selection and he has made four alterations. Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrara both missed the Arsenal game through injury, but are back in the side today. Phil Jones is preferred to Daley Blind at centre-back, perhaps with Romelu Lukaku's physicality in mind. Morgan Schneiderlin will look to assert more control than Michael Carrick did at the Emirates.

Perhaps the biggest news, though, is that Memphis Deapy has been dropped. The wide man has made a fairly positive start to life at Old Trafford since his £25m move in the summer, but Louis van Gaal clearly wasn't impressed with his outing a fortnight ago.

Today's game will be played against the incredibly sad backdrop of the death of former Everton manager Howard Kendall. There will be a minute's silence before today's game and both sets of players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

© Getty Images

Kendall spent two spells at Goodison Park as manager and won two league titles, one FA Cup and one European Cup Winners' Cup in his first stint between 1981-1987.

Understandably, this is a very sad day in the history of Everton.

We are devastated to learn of the passing of Everton Giant Howard Kendall. pic.twitter.com/hKBuDeKraW — Everton (@Everton) October 17, 2015

Back to the game and we are now less than half an hour away from kickoff!

Despite only managing a draw in their last outing, I'm sure that Roberto Martinez will be delighted with how his side have started the season. The Toffees have lost just one of their last six league matches, although there have been three draws in that period.

Nonetheless, Everton sit in 8th place as things stand and could move into a Champions League place with a victory today.

UPDATE: Everton and Man Utd's bitter rivals Liverpool have already been in action today. Jurgen Klopp led his new side to a battling 0-0 draw at Spurs in his first game in charge. Read the match report here.

For all the doom and gloom surrounding Man Utd following the 3-0 loss to Arsenal, Louis van Gaal could lead his side back to the summit of the Premier League this afternoon. The loss at the Emirates was just their second of the season and came on the back of three successive league wins. They ma

Anthony Martial could be the difference today. The lively youngster has enjoyed a dream start to life in English football and his pace could cause Everton problems this afternoon.

At the other end of the pitch, Romelu Lukaku has been in sparkling form so far this campaign. The Belgian has already netted seven goals, so don't be surprised if he bags another today!

There's just about time for me to make a prediction, so I'm going to plump for a 1-1 draw this afternoon. I know, I know - I'm sitting on the fence!

The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch to the background of Z Cars. Not long now!

Everybody inside Goodison Park is giving heartfelt applause to Howard Kendall, who has sadly passed away the age of 69. There was meant to be just a minute's applause, but the crowd began long before the referee blew his whistle. An emotional day for all associated with Everton.

KICKOFF: Rooney and Herrera get us underway, as Man Utd kick from left to right in the first half. We're off!

Relentless pressure from Everton in the first minute here. Man Utd almost lost the ball on a couple of occasions but have settled into a rhythm now.

Positive stuff from Everton, as Galloway feeds the underlapping Naismith, who slams a shot into the body of Smalling.

Herrara carries the ball down the right flank for Man Utd though and wins a foul from Galloway. The visitors have a free kick on the right-hand side of Everton's area.

Jagielka heads Mata's ball to safety and Man Utd are unable to make anything of the situation.

It's been all Man Utd in the opening few minutes, but Everton are happy to let them have the ball in front of them.

Mata, Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin are all inside their own half as the visitors look to build an attack. Martinez will be happy with that!

Martial looks to be playing on the left today and looks to escape the attentions of Coleman, but the defender does well to shepherd the ball back to Howard.

There's an almost identical situation at the other end involving Lukaku and Smalling, and the Belgian striker is mightily close to nicking the ball from the fingertips of De Gea!

Darmian flashes a low cross right across the face of goal, but Rooney can't get there in time. Wonderful play by the Italian full-back.

UPDATE: There's been an early goal in the Premier League, with Raheem Sterling putting Manchester City 1-0 up against Bournemouth.

SHOT! Rooney advances towards goal unchallenged and fires a fierce shot towards the far corner from 25 yards, but it's comfortably wide.

Barkley has wonderful feet and skips around three challenges, but his subsequent shot is blocked. However, Naismith wins Everton a free kick 25 yards out in a central position after a clumsy challenge from Schneiderlin.

Lukaku's free kick slams into the wall and Everton win a corner.

Nothing comes from the corner but Man Utd can't properly clear their lines and Everton come at them again.

UPDATE: Make that 2-0 to Manchester City. Bony with the second. Is that game over already?

Man Utd have ridden the storm and are now back in possession, but it's all so pedestrian.

Mata nearly gets on the end of another Darmian cross but Coleman does just enough to stop the shot. The Man Utd right-back has found plenty of space on this near side early on.

SAVE! Herrera collects a Rooney layoff and skips past Barry before slamming a shot towards goal. Howard tipped it over the bar, but in truth it was a comfortable save.

Van Gaal's side are ahead! Naismith's header from Mata's cross goes straight up into the air and Rooney feeds the ball back into the area. Smalling, with his back towards goal, turns the ball in the direction of Schneiderlin, who calmly side foots a finish into the far corner from 12 yards out. That was a very accomplished finish by the midfielder.

The goal doesn't seem to have affected the confidence of Everton, who have had all of the ball since Schneiderlin put Man Utd ahead. This is perfectly set up for the visitors now though, who can sit back and pounce on the counter-attack.

It's two for Man Utd! Marcos Rojo swings a delightful cross into the unmarked Herrera, who plants a firm header into the top corner via the turf. What a start!

BOOKING: Coleman was shown a yellow card for a rash challenge on Martial in the build-up to the goal, but the referee Moss played a superb advantage to allow Man Utd to continue.

Lukaku is up in arms after tumbling inside the area, but Moss waves away the protests.

Well, well, well. Who would have predicted this scoreline so early on? Man Utd look up for this after their meek start at the Emirates two weeks ago.

There are a few positive signs for Everton, as Naismith runs onto another Lukaku flick-on, but the forward is just about crowded out. Is that their best option of getting back into the game?

Jones has rushed to the sideline with blood pouring from his nose following a collision. He's always in the wars, isn't he?

Now it's Man Utd's turn to sit deep and frustrate their opponents. All eleven Man Utd players are within 30 yards of their own goal.

CLOSE! Lukaku leaps to connect with Coleman's cross and wins the ball ahead of De Gea. The ball rolls towards goal, but Smalling calmly clears from inside the six-yard area. De Gea crumbles to the turf, but there was nothing wrong with the challenge - Lukaku won it fair and square.

Jones is back on the pitch, clutching a piece of bloodied tissue to his nose.

Here's Schneiderlin celebrating his first ever Man Utd goal. He looks happy, doesn't he?

© Getty Images

I think both sides will be happy to get to half time as things are. Van Gaal would certainly be pleased with that, but I reckon Martinez would take it too. His side look a little lost at the moment.

Having said that, Galloway charges down the left and brushes past Mata before fizzing a cross in which Smalling has to turn behind for a corner.

De Gea flaps at another high ball under pressure from Naismith. This time, a free kick is given, but it didn't look as though Naismith did much wrong. That's twice De Gea has struggled under a high ball. Everton will surely look to utilise that frailty?

Martial has given Coleman the runaround in the first 40 minutes or so and he effortlessly skips past Stones next.

Naismith and Coleman almost execute a neat one-two on the edge of the area, but there are just too many Man Utd bodies in the way. Then the ball comes to Jagielka on the left apex of the area and the centre-back thinks he is Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo rolled into one as he bends a shot towards goal from 20 yards... but it sails high and wide.

SAVE! It's almost a third for the visitors! Rooney escapes down the right and cuts the ball back to Martial from the byline, but the Frenchman's effort is desperately grabbed by a sprawling Howard. Everton were at sixes and sevens at the back there.

Smalling dives in front of Galloway's cross-cum-shot to concede a corner. Surely they'll put De Gea under pressure here?

SAVE! Barkley's corner is headed all the way back to him by Jones and the Everton midfielder steps inside Mata before sending a dipping, swerving shot towards goal from a tight angle, which De Gea punches clear.

Rooney escapes down the left channel and has Martial and Herrera in support, but can pick out neither teammate.

It's been all a little too easy for Man Utd. The first goal came as Everton failed to clear their lines before Schneiderlin swept home unchallenged. Then Herrera had a free header from 12 yards out.

Martial has seen a good opportunity desperately thwarted by Howard, but aside from that neither side have been able to create any other clear-cut chances. Man Utd have just been ruthless with the chances they've been handed.

UPDATE: Manchester City are 4-1 up against Bournemouth, with Raheem Sterling netting a hat-trick, while Diego Costa has given Chelsea a 1-0 lead over Aston Villa. For all the latest scores, head here.

If you want a concise overview of the first half from Goodison Park, Daniel Lewis' half-time report is already up on the Sports Mole website. That was quick, eh? Take a look here.

Everton face an uphill battle to recover anything from this game. Another goal for the visitors and it's surely game over?

Lingard has been out on the pitch at half time going through a rigorous warm-up. Could we be about to see the youngster?

SUBSTITUTIONS: Lingard has indeed come on, and he has replaced Mata. I can only think that the Spaniard is suffering from an injury. Meanwhile, Kone has been introduced by Martinez. Naismith is the man to make way.

KICKOFF: Eveerton get us back underway, needing a much better second-half performance.

Everton win a free kick straight away 25 yards from goal. Barkley is standing over it.

CLOSE! Smiling clears at the far post, but in doing so he slams the ball into the shins of Lukaku, who was lurking on his blind side. The ball cannons of the striker's legs and flies wide of the far post. A stroke of luck for Smalling!

Lingard is found by a long Schweinstegier ball and the youngster immediately brings it under control before laying it off. No worries about him taking time to settle into the rhythm of the game, then!

Darmian goes sprawling to the turf under pressure from Galloway, but nothing is given.

BOOKING: Schweinsteiger is handed a yellow card for hauling Barkley to the floor. It was an innocuous challenge, but it's been given for a series of fouls.

CHANCES! Kone almost makes an immediate impact as he plays a one-two with Lukaku before firing a low shot towards goal, but it's well blocked. Then Coleman picks out Barkley just a few yards out at the far post, but Lingered does enough to put off the midfielder.

BOOKING: It's another Man Utd booking, as Rojo blatantly barges Lukaku to the floor as he tried to run onto a through ball. Barkley is over this next free kick too. Can they respond?

SAVE! What a magnificent save by De Gea! Lennon cuts the ball back to Lukaku from the byline, but the forward's shot from 10 yards is kicked away by the left leg of De Gea, who was almost doing the splits as he stretched to save the strike!

It's been a really bright start to the second period by Everton, but they need a goal sooner rather than later.

Martial squares up Coleman in the corner, but the Irish full-back does well to watch the ball and nick the ball off his toes.

Rooney think he's in the clear as he bursts away from Stones, but the whistle had already been blown for a foul in Everton's favour.

SAVE! Barkley sends an inswinging free kick into the box which evades everyone, and De Gea has to react late to parry the ball away. He really is a fine goalkeeper.

Everton are becoming frustrated as Man Utd are giving away foul after foul. They feel there should be more bookings dished out, but Moss is managing the game reasonably well.

Dear oh dear. It's another Everton mistake and this is the worst of the lot. The centre-back inexplicably gives the ball away to Schneiderlin, who releases Herrera. The midfielder then sets Rooney through on goal one-on-one and the striker calmly finishes. Game over.

That's a sucker punch for the hosts. They've seen all of the ball since the break, but couldn't find a way past De Gea. For their captain to then make such a terrible mistake compounds a miserable afternoon for Everton.

Goodison Park was bouncing before the goal, but it's eerily quiet now.

BLOCK! Smiling dashes across the box to throw himself infront of Coleman's shot. He's been imperious at the back.

SAVE! Barkley's short corner comes back to him and the youngster steps inside onto his left foot and fires a low shot towards goal from 20 yards. De Gea unorthodoxly saves with his knees, but it did the job!

SAVE! It's a save at the other end, as Howard smothers the ball at the feet of Rooney after the striker escaped from Jagielka to race through clear on goal!

BOOKING: A sign of Everton's frustration as Lukaku throws the ball into the turf after being penalised for a foul. It didn't look much like a foul, but Lukaku simply could not react like that.

SUBSTITUTION: Lennon has struggled this afternoon and he's being replaced by Deulofeu.

Barkley sends in a disappointing corner and it's cleared at the near post.

SUBSTITUTION: Schweinsteiger makes way for Carrick. It's a change which seems to happen every week.

Barkley is undoubtedly a talented player but he often tries to force a pass which isn't on. He does so again for the umpteenth time today as Carrick nicks in.

A chance for Lingered as the ball breaks to him on the edge of the area, but the young midfielder snatches at his effort and slices it 10-15 yards wide of the target.

Jagielka cheaply gives the ball away again as he chips it straight to Carrick. He has Stones to thank as his defensive partner makes a superb diving header clearance to prevent Herrera scoring a tap-in at the far post.

SAVE! Martial somehow wriggles away from two players on the byline and suddenly he is on-on-one with Howard from a very, very tight angle, but the big American gets out quickly to save well at his feet.

It's another Man Utd foul as Barkley is tripped by Schneiderlin. Baroquely will fancy his chances with this 25-yard free kick to the left of goal. It's tailor made for his right foot.

CLOSE! He certainly gets enough power in it! Barkley's free kick swerves towards the far corner, but dips just too late as it falls onto the roof of the net. Great effort.

SUBSTITUTION: Van Gaal makes his final change as former Evertonian Fellaini comes on for Herrera, who has had a fine game.

This time it's Everton giving away a free kick and understandably, Man Utd are in no rush whatsoever to get play restarted.

Deulofeu drills an aimless low cross into the box which Jones hacks clear.

The ball comes to Deulofeu again, who has the chance to run at Rojo one-on-one, but the Argentine defends superbly to force him backwards.

This game is drifting out to a predictable finish. Man Utd are just taking the sting out of everything and Fellaini buys a foul from Barry to waste a few more precious seconds.

The visitors are knocking the ball around with ease and Lingard's cross is headed clear by Jagielka. The Everton captain is there again to clear after Martial skips away from a tired-looking Coleman.

Everything is coming off for Man Utd. Mojo tackles Barry deep in Everton territory and the balls bounces off the Englishman to hand Man Utd a throw-in. It's been a great afternoon for Van Gaal and co.

Martial is one-one-one with Coleman again and glides past him. It's so, so easy. He cuts the ball back from the byline, but it's just too far behind Lingard.

Everton haven't even been able to build any sustained pressure since Rooney's goal, such is Man Utd's control. Seconds remain.

It's all over. Manchester United eased to victory this afternoon, but Everton made it far too easy for Louis van Gaal's side with some comical defending. Nonetheless, the Red Devils were ruthless.

That's all from me in terms of the live commentary, but stick around for plenty of reaction from all of today's results. There's also live coverage of both Rugby World Cup matches and Arsenal's trip to Watford. Until next time!