We threw victory away, says Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. There were defensive lapses, their goals were really soft goals. We have created goals through really good football, but I think they got their goals easy.It could be costly, there is no question about that. We've thrown a game away that we should be coasting and seeing the game out. But we didn't, so we have given ourselves a difficult task. To concede four goals at Old Trafford in a home game that is so important to us - you can't believe it. The defensive shortcomings, which have seen United lose heavily against City (6-1) and Newcastle (3-0) this season and also concede three against Basel (3-3), Blackburn (3-2), Chelsea (3-3) and Athletic Bilbao (3-2), reared their head once more against Everton. Tellingly, Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic - sidelined since early December with a cruciate ligament injury - has been absent each time three or more goals have been conceded this season. Against Everton, Brazilian full-back Rafael was exposed for the first and fourth goals, while a lack of communication between Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand at centre-half also contributed to the uncertainty in front of goalkeeper David de Gea. Left-back Patrice Evra, whose form has been inconsistent this season, will question how Everton full-back Tony Hibbert was afforded so much space to cross from the right for the visitors" first and second goals. When United travel to City next week, Chris Smalling is likely to replace Rafael at right-back. Rafael's concentration levels have been questioned on numerous occasions this season, notably in the defeat against Bilbao, and Smalling's greater height and defensive qualities will be crucial at the Etihad. Moyes said: "The players put a show on. The emphasis was big as we were down after losing a big game last week. It was a chance, in another big game on the telly, to stop people thinking our season was over. "The finishing and goals were very good but Manchester United scored very good goals as well." ends