Man United stumble again as Everton snatch dramatic point at the death
Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a stunning 96th-minute equaliser on his Everton debut as Manchester United were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The atmosphere around the stadium had been tense after a disappointing transfer window for Everton, and United only added to the anxiety with a fast start.
Match highlight
Luke Shaw surged down the left and found Bryan Mbeumo at the far post. Mbeumo’s soft header dropped for Bruno Fernandes, whose volley crashed against the crossbar.
United were the more threatening side throughout the first half, but their finishing again let them down. Matheus Cunha wasted a good opening after Marcus Rashford pulled the ball back into the area.
Everton offered very little for the opening 40 minutes. Amid criticism of their failure to sign a striker, they had no shots on target and an xG of just 0.01.
Thierno Barry got the better of Harry Maguire and met Merlin Rohl’s dangerous cross, only to head narrowly over the bar.
Mbeumo produced a superb individual moment, cutting in from the right, beating 2 challenges and firing a perfect 18-yard finish into the bottom corner to give United the lead.
Brennan Johnson saw a deflected effort drift wide, while Shaw made a crucial block to deny Barry a clear chance as the home side pushed for an equaliser.
United could have put the game away when Cunha looked set to score, but James Tarkowski produced a desperate block inside the area.
With 7 minutes remaining, Tyrique George eased fears over the club’s lack of striker options by smashing in a powerful finish from a tight angle to make it 1-1.
United responded immediately and reclaimed the lead in the 88th minute. Substitute Benjamin Sesko rose to head home from Shaw’s cross, with Jordan Pickford unable to keep the effort out despite getting a touch.
It looked like United had found a late winner. But in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Everton debutant Maitland-Niles produced the decisive final moment. From 25 yards, he bent a magnificent curling shot beyond the United goalkeeper to break visiting hearts and rescue a point.
For Everton, it is another encouraging sign under David Moyes. For United, it is another reminder that good spells and late goals mean little if they cannot see games out.
