Two early Everton goals are not enough as Manchester United score twice late in the second half to steal a point at Goodison Park.
Everton hosted Manchester United on Saturday in a relatively novel circumstance. Sitting 14th in the table, the toffees found themselves sitting above 15th place United in the league table. Nonetheless, streaks were on the line on Merseyside as the blues had lost their previous five matches to Manchester United in the Premier League, but came into the match on a five game unbeaten run in the league.
A classic game under the afternoon sunshine at Goodison Park saw the hosts strike first, and it was none other than perhaps the most in form striker in the Premier League. An Everton set piece saw the ball become subject to a game of headers in the hosts box, before Doucoure eventually headed it on. Beto split the backline amidst the chaos and slotted beautifully past Onana. In breaking the deadlock, he became Everton’s joint top goalscorer on the season with six league goals, with 5 of them coming in the last four league matches.
The one goal lead lasted only ten minutes before it became a two goal cushion, as the man who assisted the first traded roles and slotted home Everton’s second. After a smart phase of play between Lindstrom and Beto, Harrison eventually fired a shot at goal that was saved by Onana. Doucoure got to the second ball first and headed home smartly to put the hosts up 2-0. Manchester United’s fortunes didn’t change much in the remaining moments of the first half, as the toffees made it extremely difficult for their visitors to find any joy. The halftime whistle went, with the score 2-0.
Ten minutes into the second half Everton made their first substitution of the match, as Ashley Young came on for Jesper Lindstrom due to what was referred to as an illness after the match. Following the match’s first substitution, the first chance of the second half came in the 65th minute. Jake O’Brien put in a great cross that found Doucoure in the box, and the midfielder looked destined to secure a brace. However, a great save from Onana kept the visitors alive. Seven minutes later, Bruno Fernandes would fire home a free kick from 25 yards out to cut the lead to 2-1. Unfortunately, the curse of the 2-0 struck the blues again, as Ugarte leveled the match in the 80th minute with a well hit strike from distance. His first goal for the club.
In the 93rd minute, it looked like the match had taken one more fateful twist. Ashley Young was pulled down by two United defenders and Everton were awarded a penalty kick. However, after a VAR check, it was determined that the contact wasn’t severe enough, and the call was overturned. That would be the final big moment in the match, and the points were shared at Goodison Park. Despite the moment, there are plenty of positives to take. The draw makes it six unbeaten for Everton, securing 14 of a possible 18 points and sky rocketing them 14 points clear of the drop zone. A huge credit to Moyes and to the squad, decimated by injuries as they may be. Beto is a real shout for POTM, and the blues are enjoying their football once again. Next up, the toffees have a midweek clash on the road against Brentford.
UTFT!
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