A BRU HOPE
Everton 2 Man Utd 2: Referee controversially overrules last-minute penalty to spare Ruben Amorim ANOTHER defeat
United were helped to a draw by an unlikely source
DAVID MOYES vowed to bring back the thrills when he returned to Goodison – but not even he imagined it would be quite like this.
Two goals up, then two goals conceded…and an Everton penalty in the last of six added minutes which referee Andy Madley overturned after reviewing the video.
8
8
8
8
8
If Moyes’ hair hadn’t already gone grey by the time he went back as Goodison boss, it surely would be now.
At half-time the Toffees were in cruise control - goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure giving them an advantage that could easily have been double.
But then Ruben Amorim threw Alejandro Garnacho on from the bench for the final, frantic half an hour, and the whole thing turned on its head and United somehow clawed their way back.
A stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and an equally blockbusting edge-of-the-box drive from Manuel Ugarte somehow earned United a point that never looked likely.
Everton thought they were handed a golden chance to win it for a second time – only to have it snatched away a minute later.
When Idrissa Gana Gueye fired in a low drive after 95 minutes, Andre Onana pushed it back into play and Ashley Young crashed under Matthijs De Ligt’s challenge.
The Dutchman clearly had a hand on Young’s shirt, and ref Madley had no doubt – yet when he was sent to the monitor for a double check, amazingly the official changed his mind.
Everton were enraged, United escaped…and everyone left Goodison wondering quite how Moyes had failed to gain revenge on the side that sacked him 11 years ago.
Most read in Football
8
Beto had blasted Everton ahead on 19 minutes, making United pay for their pitiful attempts to clear Jack Harrison’s corner.
Then Doucoure doubled the advantage by muscling Harry Maguire aside to nod in when Onana blocked Jack Harrison’s point-blank drive.
Europa League last 16 draw sees Man Utd face Real Sociedad and Tottenham take on AZ Alkmaar
United were on the canvas – yet somehow picked themselves up when everyone was expecting a knockout count.
First skipper Fernandes fired in a scorching free kick – although keeper Jordan Pickford’s initial step to the right gave him no chance of reaching it.
And ten minutes from the end another Fernandes free kick was headed clear by Beto, only for Ugarte to smash it back with interest.
Everton were stunned into silence at chucking it away, only to think they would at least make amends from the spot in that unbelievable, jaw-dropping finsh.
Referee Madley, though, decided otherwise…
8
8
Man Utd ratings vs Everton
MANCHESTER UNITED fought back from two goals down to draw against Everton at Goodison Park
The Red Devils were slammed as "embarrassing" by Rio Ferdinand after failing 2-0 down in the first half.
But they fought back late on thanks to a stunning Bruno Fernandes free-kick and volley from Manuel Ugarte, who bagged his first goal since his summer arrival from PSG.
Amorim's men were then lucky to escape a penalty in the final moments after VAR overturned the decision.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of the Manchester United team…
Andre Onana - 7
United needed him with his game-head on, and his 93rd-minute stop saved a point.
Noussair Mazraoui 69' - 4
Looked seriously uncomfortable on the right side of the back three - forced there because of a defensive injury crisis
Harry Maguire - 4
Out-jumped by Doucoure as the midfielder grabbed Everton’s second and was generally all over the place.
Matthijs de Ligt - 4
Nowhere for Beto’s opener, completely missing attempted clearance and got away with a 93rd-minute penalty call.
Diogo Dalot - 5
At least shows willing. Which is more than could be said for some of his team mates at Goodison.
Manuel Ugarte - 7
Spent most of the game stranded in United’s midfield morass but salvation came with a brilliant strike.
Casemiro 62' - 2
The Brazilian is beginning to look like the world’s oldest 32-year-old —he’s become a genuine irrelevance.
Patrick Dorgu - 6
Made a determined start down the left flank but that enthusiasm was slowly but surely sucked out of him.
Bruno Fernandes - 8
His free kick was genuine class and once he was dropped deeper started controlling the game.
Joshua Zirkzee - 4
At £36.5M you would expect an element of ball control but the Dutchman used as a joint No 10 just looks lost.
Rasmus Hojlund 69' - 3
Not so much a desperate Dane, more a despairing one although it would help if he had some support.
Subs:
Alejandro Garnacho 62' - 7
Injected some desperately needed pace and passion.
Leny Yoro 69' - 6
Should have been on much earlier.
Chido Obi-Martin 69' - 5
The 17-year-old has a presence for sure.
Topics