Everton 2-2 Manchester United
MANUEL UGARTE’S STUNNING strike and an overturned penalty decision at the death helped Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United escape with a 2-2 comeback draw at David Moyes’ Everton.
Alex Ferguson’s successor at Old Trafford looked set to inflict a 13th Premier League defeat of the season on the wretched Red Devils, who have won just four top-flight games since Amorim arrived in November.
Moyes has overseen as many league wins since returning to Everton in January and looked set to add another after Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure benefited from some abysmal first-half defending.
“Going down, going down, going down” bellowed the Toffees faithful as Amorim’s side stumbled towards defeat on their final visit to Goodison Park.
But Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick in the 72nd minute brought renewed hope and eight minutes later his set-piece was only cleared as far as Ugarte to chest and slam home from just inside the box.
More drama was to follow as referee Andy Madley awarded Everton a stoppage-time penalty after Ashley Young went down in the box under pressure from Harry Maguire, only to change his decision after the VAR advised him to review the monitor.
Amorim’s side struggled for much of the contest, with former defender Rio Ferdinand labelling their display as “embarrassing” and “unforgiveable” on TNT Sports shortly before Fernandes sparked their comeback.
Everton started by showing more desire to win second balls and forcing errors, including one that allowed Beto to get an early header on goal.
Jordan Pickford bravely spread himself to stop Rasmus Hojlund turning in a threatening Patrick Dorgu in a rare voyage forward by a United team lacking structure and confidence.
The Goodison Park faithful roared as their players hassled and harried the visitors, with the volume going up several notches after that pressure saw Casemiro dispossessed and Maguire cut out a cross for a corner.
United floundered as attempts to clear ended in a game of head tennis won by Everton, with Doucoure eventually nodding the ball through for Beto to swipe an effort into the ground and beyond Andre Onana in the 19th minute.
The home fans poked fun at the Red Devils during a prolonged VAR check that ended with a ruling that neither Jesper Lindstrom or Beto were offside in the move.
United’s response was meek and Moyes’ men capitalised in the 33rd minute.
Lindstrom sent Beto charging behind Maguire and the striker squared for Jack Harrison, who cut onto his right and forced Andre Onana into a save.
United’s goalkeeper could only send the ball ballooning into the air, with nor him or the flat-footed Maguire dealing with it as Doucoure nodded into an empty net.
“Attack, attack, attack” bellowed United’s frustrated fans but their side could only muster a couple of half-chances.
Amorim, surprisingly, did not make a change at the break and Moyes’ Toffees continued to keep them at arm’s length.
Doucoure saw an attempt stopped by Onana as the goalscorer threatened to make things worse for United, only to accidentally offer them a route back.
The Everton midfielder blocked a Fernandes free-kick with his arm in the wall, leading to the set piece being moved to just outside the box.
This time the United skipper beat the wall, with statuesque Pickford stranded as the ball nestled in the bottom right corner in the 72nd minute.
Fernandes ran back to the centre circle, geeing up team-mates and travelling fans, with another of his set-pieces bringing parity in the 80th minute.
The skipper’s free-kick delivery was headed clear by Beto and Ugarte controlled the ball on his chest before striking a left-footed effort beyond Pickford.
United sought a shock winner and Beto survived a VAR check for handball, then had a header held at the other end.
Pickford tipped over a Fernandes shot as the match headed towards a draw, only for added-time drama.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Idrissa Gueye saw a low drive saved by Onana and Young hit the deck under pressure from Matthijs de Ligt and Maguire.
Referee Madley pointed to the spot but the VAR Matthew Donohue advised him to go to the pitchside monitor, where he overturned his decision.
Everton’s anger at the decision was palpable as the final whistle blew.
Credit for once to utd showing a bit of character and coming from behind. Decent point. Never a pen at the end
@Brian Dunne: sloppy goals killing Utd. Both today avoidable. McGuire really struggled today. Bruno def has to be played beside Ugarte. Controlled the game when he went back there. Those two, Zirkee and Drugo only lads who can keep their heads high. Rest of the starters were useless.
@Brian Dunne: de ligt clearly pulls young back how var got involved was just a disgrace.but when u consider var took three minutes to try and cancel out betos goal when he obviously onside it proves its corruption at its finest ud wonder do they go to the pub beforehand and pick up the var officials
@ Brian Dunne. If that pen decison was at the other end i am sure you would be saying certain pen. eh Brian.
@Michael Carroll: no michael. I also called out ashley youngs dives while representing Manchester United
@Michael Carroll: exact same as Tarkowski one on McGuire in first half. Slight pull on the jersey and player went down way too easily(McGuire and Young). Either both a penalty or neither are.
How times have changed when you’re devastated to draw with Manchester United
@Fergus O’Connor: new stadium new times?
Yeah fantastic point for Utd-it has to be said. Still sitting pretty in 15th!
@John arse: very very poor this year and ne same again next year
I admire the ref for changing his mind,It doesn’t happen a lot but come on, Who falls down like that
Couldn’t see that happening after 60 odd minutes. Take the point and run. Point more towards safety
@Dessie: Dessie, we’ve a fella on here who’d tell you you have to take the point, that’s what happens after a draw.
Everton are no mugs since Moyes came back.
@ecrowley ecrowley: paulie
@Dessie: Good sum off the game in fairness
Awful for 70 mins,complete contrast for the remainder,never a pen,young has been doing that for over 20 yrs,he is some pro! Onana useless for the 2nd and his parry for the pen, big harry had a torrid game,de ligt is a poor player, roll on Ipswich,a win and united will be safe, how the mighty have fallen
@Declan O Connor: I admire your optimism that you think united will beat Ipswich on Wednesday!
@Brian Dunne: Will the game be considered a relegation scrap? I can see Ipswich give United a fright, but United should have enough, are they willing to fight for it though?
@Graham: I think united should be safe. 12 points I think off the bottom 3? Can’t see any of the bottom teams making that up. Still wouldn’t bet on them on wed, especially at home.
@Brian Dunne: I think, this season for United, the way it’s been for them, they are very lucky there are 3 very bad teams below them in the league.
@Brian Dunne: I wouldn’t put any of my own money on it Brian
The pen would have been very soft but I’m surprised the ref changed his mind on it given it was awarded to begin with You can see both players tugging the shirt. The main angle shown to him on the screen wasn’t probably the one he needed either. Not to say it should have been a pen, but I’m not convinced that VAR actually functioned here. Maybe the right result was achieved I suppose but I wouldn’t say it clarifies much about VAR
Is it just me or can anyone else see there is a problem when Casimero is being paid 4 hundred thousand euro a week.
@Jp Cleary: yeah and he cost 60 million and now they can’t get rid of him!
Abysmal for over an hour. Hojlund goes off and suddenly start playing football.
Coincidence? I expect not
Cant believe we lost all 3 points utd were awfull