( CNN ) -- Manchester United went five points clear at the top of the Premier League as goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar set a new English record for minutes in not conceding a goal in the 1-0 victory over Everton . Van der Sar was left to celebrate a United win and a new goalkeeping record . Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the winning goal with a 44th minute penalty but once again it was United 's rock-solid defense and keeper that made sure of the vital three points . Everton 's failure to score by the 73rd minute at Old Trafford left van der Sar unbeaten for 1,104 minutes . The Dutch international was breaking the previous record set by Reading 's Steve Death 30 years ago . He had taken Petr Cech 's Premier League record in the 5-0 win at West Bromwich Albion last week and has now had 12 straight clean sheets . With title rivals Chelsea and Liverpool playing each other on Sunday and Aston Villa being held 0-0 at home by Wigan , the record was the icing on the cake for Alex Ferguson 's defending champions . World footballer of the year Ronaldo had hit the post in the first half before converting from the spot after Michael Carrick was tripped by Mikel Arteta . In truth , Everton , missing three strikers through injury , rarely troubled van der Sar with most of the action at the other end . Carrick had appeals for a second penalty turned down after appearing to be brought down by Joleon Lescott , but referee Mark Halsey ignored his pleas . Carlos Tevez shot wide from Park ji-Sung 's right wing cross and Tim Howard later had to save smartly from a deflected free kick from the Argentine star . United manager Alex Ferguson was delighted with yet another clean sheet and the three points . `` It 's a fantastic performance from the boys . I could n't believe it when I read that the last goal we conceded was against Arsenal in October , '' he told Setanta Sports . `` Van der Sar brings calmness and assurance . Over the last 12 games we have changed the back four I do n't know how many times so you have to give great credit to them . ''
Record breaker Edwin van der Sar has now kept 12 clean sheets for United . 1 - 0 win over sixth - placed Arsenal sees United go four points clear in Premier League . Closest rivals Chelsea and Liverpool play each other in title showdown on Sunday .