Liverpool, Feb 23 (UNI) Manchester United staged a late comeback before being saved by VAR as they avoided plunging deeper into crisis with a dramatic draw at Everton.
Everton’s resurgence under returning manager David Moyes – once of United – was poised to continue as the hosts exerted total domination in the first 45 minutes to establish a deserved two-goal lead at Goodison Park, according to a BBC report.
They exposed every United flaw in that opening half, Beto turning in his fifth goal under Moyes in the 19th minute after a goalmouth scramble before Abdoulaye Doucoure headed them two ahead.
The second Everton goal was a desperate moment for United defender Harry Maguire, who failed to react with any urgency after Andre Onana saved Jack Harrison’s shot, allowing Doucoure to rise above him to head home.
Everton remained in control until Bruno Fernandes steered home a free kick with 18 minutes left, and Manuel Ugarte then drove in powerfully eight minutes later to draw United level.
United then survived a late scare when referee Andrew Madley awarded a penalty as Ashley Young went down under Maguire’s challenge, with Matthijs de Ligt also tugging the Everton veteran, but the decision was reversed after a video assistant referee check.
The second-half comeback had been an unlikely turn of events given Everton’s initial superiority, with United sparing manager Ruben Amorim the indignity of what would have been the team’s ninth league defeat in 13 matches.
