The Premier League contest between Everton and Manchester United was full of fireworks, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles marking his comeback to English football by scoring in injury-time equaliser as Everton came from behind twice to a deserved draw.
Maitland-Niles left Senne Lammens fixed to the spot when he slammed in an unstoppable shot into the net to stop Manchester United a first away win of the season.
Michael Carrick’s side appeared destined to earn the victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the second consecutive season after Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko netted either side of Tyrique George powering Everton level.
But Maitland-Niles’ goal kept Everton’s unbeaten start to the season at the end of a tumultuous week.
Fresh from slamming five goals past Ipswich Town last weekend, Manchester United made a quick start and almost went in front inside eight minutes when Bruno Fernandes hit the crossbar following a knockdown from Mbeumo inside the area.
It was the 24th time Manchester United had hit the woodwork since the start of last season, a tally that is more than any other team in the Premier League
But that did little to spoil Manchester United’s mood as they, and Marcus Rashford in particular, continued to question Everton defence.
Just days after trading off the creative Iliman N’Diaye to Manchester City in a transfer worth up to £65m, Everton showed little ingenuity or originality in the final third.
That was until two minutes before half-time when Thierno Barry, the team’s top scorer this season, headed over after a wonderful cross from makeshift full-back Merlin Rohl, and Jarrad Branthwaite forced a save from Lammens.
