Man United may be renowned for attacking football but the real reason they are top of the BPL is because of their defence.

Yesterday's 1-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford made their position even more comfortable as United dominated the game but had only Cristiano Ronaldo's 44th-minute penalty to show for their efforts.

However, whereas rivals Liverpool have suffered a similar problem and dropped points in the title race, the Red Devils' frugal defence has ensured they have maintained momentum.

It was their seventh 1-0 victory in 12 matches in all competitions and also a 12th successive Premier League clean sheet.

Another 90 minutes without conceding a goal meant Edwin van der Sar has now overtaken the league record of 1,104 minutes set by Reading's Steve Death in 1979.

The Dutchman's tally now stands at 1,122 minutes and on their current form he could well extend that at West Ham next week.

Arsenal's Samir Nasri was the last player to score against Van der Sar way back on November 8.

Ferguson said the consistency and excellence of the 38-year-old goalkeeper had made his team's job in overhauling Liverpool at the summit much easier.

"Edwin brings absolute calm and assurance to the players in front of him," said the United boss.

"Because of that experience over the last 12 games we have changed he back four I don't know how many times [and not conceded] and that says a lot for every player who has come in and done a job.

"You have to give great credit to Edwin but there have been some great performances; Nemanja Vidic is an absolute warrior, he's been unbelievable.

"The important thing is to keep our record of winning and keep our form going."

Van der Sar also drew plenty of praise from his team-mates.

Ronaldo, who for so long has hogged the limelight at Old Trafford, was pleased to see someone else receiving recognition.

"It's unbelievable. Edwin deserves it; he's a great man, a great goalkeeper. He works a lot - for his age! - and I'm really happy for him," he said.

"Not just for him, the whole team, all the lads, especially the defenders, who support him a lot."

The Portugal winger was once again United's most potent threat and he hit the post in the first half before getting the chance to put his side ahead from the spot.

However, he owed a lot to the excellent Michael Carrick whose run into the penalty area was only brought to a halt by Mikel Arteta's trailing leg.

In contrast to his opposite number, former United goalkeeper Tim Howard was kept busy throughout the afternoon but particularly in the first half.

Early on he somehow diverted Carlos Tevez's close-range shot over the crossbar with his legs and then got his fingertips to a fierce Ronaldo strike from outside the area.

United could have had a second penalty just after half-time when Joleon Lescott tripped Carrick but referee Mark Halsey waved play on.

With Tevez struggling to produce anything to threaten Howard United were almost caught out in the closing stages when Lescott claimed he had been impeded by Rio Ferdinand in the penalty area only to be rejected by the official.

Ronaldo's penalty was his 13th goal of the season and although he is not as prolific as he was last campaign he is content to contributing to the success.

"I'm very happy with my season. The most important thing is the team," he said.

"I've scored a few important goals and I want to carry on but I don't need to think about what's going on in the next weeks, I need to do my job, carry on and help the team.

"If you win every game 1-0 it's good. Sometimes it's important to score goals but Everton were not an easy team.

"I think we have to appreciate the attitude and the character of the team - 1-0, three points, it's okay."

Everton manager David Moyes accepted they had been beaten by the better team.

"When I was close up some of the things they did in the first half made me drool over it. They were difficult to stop," said the Scot.

Moyes, who does not currently have a fit striker to call on and is playing midfielder Tim Cahill as a makeshift forward, said he was hopeful of bringing in a player before the transfer window closed tomorrow.

"I think something might happen," he said.

"I thought our energy levels were down against Manchester United but that is understandable.

"There were times when I could have done with having players up front ."