Premier League: Late comeback helps Man Utd draw 2-2 at Everton
Manchester United avoided a third consecutive Premier League defeat, as they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday
- LIVERPOOL — A
dramatic late equalizer by Manuel Ugarte ensured Manchester United avoided a
third consecutive Premier League defeat, as they came back from two goals down
to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. The Toffees were in
control for much of the match, with Beto firing them ahead in the 19th minute.
A deft touch from Abdoulaye Doucoure doubled their lead just 14 minutes later,
as his close-range header capped off a parried shot from Jack Harrison.
-
- With their backs against the wall, United struggled early on
but showed glimpses of life in the second. Bruno Fernandes gave the visitors
hope in the 70th minute, curling in a stunning free-kick to halve the deficit.
The United captain wasn’t done there; just eight minutes later, Fernandes
delivered another ball into the box, which Ugarte expertly volleyed past Jordan
Pickford to level the score.
-
- The match had drama throughout, with Everton pushing for a
third goal. Beto came close to sealing his brace, but Andre Onana made an incredible
save to deny the striker. Everton's frustration reached its peak in stoppage
time when they were awarded a penalty after a tug on Ashley Young by Harry
Maguire, but a VAR review overturned the decision, leaving the home side angry
at the late turn of events.
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- Everton, who had been impressive under David Moyes, were on
course for a crucial victory but now sit 14th, while United remain just a point
behind in 15th. United’s late resurgence is something manager Ruben Amorim can
build on, with their next fixture against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town
offering a chance to regain form.
-
- Amorim has made one change to his side from their last game
out. Having missed last weekend's narrow defeat at Tottenham Hotspur,
midfielder Manuel Ugarte comes straight back into the starting XI, with
Alejandro Garnacho dropping to the bench. The Portuguese coach had earlier
faced Everton in just his second game in charge of the Red Devils, a game his
side won 4-0, but remained adamant that the game on Saturday would be
‘completely different’ from their earlier clash.
-
- And it did turn out that way with Everton putting up a much
superior display under recently-appointed Moyes, who was reappointed as
Everton's head coach after the sacking of Sean Dyche as the club was deep in
the relegation battle. Under the tutelage of former Manchester United head
coach, Everton has now climbed to 14th place in the table and are 13 points
safe from relegation.
