Howard hails new 'Big Dunc'

Marouane Fellaini: Everton attacker puts in a dominant display against Manchester United

Tim Howard has paid Marouane Fellaini the ultimate compliment by comparing him to Everton icon Duncan Ferguson.

Fellaini, 24, was at his unplayable best against Manchester United as he scored the winner at Goodison Park on Monday evening.

Howard, perhaps, is uniquely placed to judge the qualities of the two towering attackers.

The former United goalkeeper was in goal seven years ago when Ferguson produced a dominant performance and scored the goal that defeated the Red Devils.

Dominant

Fellaini's display carried all the hallmarks of that display which prompted Howard's lavish praise.

"It was the best here against them since Duncan," he said.

"It was dominant - classy in a lot of ways but some of it was determination and real grit too.

"Duncan had the same make-up in terms of being able to dominate someone for 90 minutes. I was happy to be on the right end of it this time.

"United just couldn't cope with him."

Impossible

Fellaini is an imposing figure at 6ft 4in and unlike some big men uses his physical attributes to maximum effect.

And Howard insists that, with the Belgium international in this mood, Premier League defenders will be reluctant to face him.

He added: "There's a certain point at which you say it's impossible to defend against him because he's so tall, and takes up such good positions you either have to come through the back of him and concede a foul, or stop him controlling it with his chest, which is hard.

"He was so fantastic for us on Monday and it allowed us to get up the park and play it up to him."