Manchester United were stunned in the final seconds as Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored his first Everton goal in stunning fashion to rescue a point for David Moyes’ side.
United looked to have nicked the victory in front of the away end when Benjamin Sesko headed in late on.
But there was a final twist in the tale and roared on by a buoyant South Stand, former Arsenal defender Maitland-Niles let rip from distance to leave United goalkeeper Senne Lammens stranded as he watched it fly into the top corner.
It was a strange old game, one first ignited by Bryan Mbeumo, who fired United ahead less than 60 seconds into the second half, and then flipped on its head when Tyrique George lashed in his own stunner to open his account for Everton to level it at 1-1.
Sesko, on from the bench, responded from there before Maitland-Niles scored a stunner to send the Hill Dickinson Stadium into raptures.
Daily Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was in position in the Hill Dickinson Stadium to cast his eye over both teams…
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was Everton’s hero as his last-gasp strike rescued a precious point
There was only seconds left when the former Arsenal defender let rip from outside the area
EVERTON (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford – 5.5
So often he has proven himself to be Superman but even he can’t keep opponents out forever if Everton are offering so little at the other end. That being said, a goalkeeper of his experience cannot misjudge a header like Benjamin Sesko’s that badly. Knew as soon as it went in he’d cost his side.
Merlin Rohl – 5
First, the good. Rohl put in the cross of the game in the first half to tee up Barry, only for his team-mate to fluff the header while unmarked in the area. Now, the bad. The issue was that he became unplayable at the other end as Marcus Rashford ran past him with ease. Was hooked – wisely- soon after getting booked.
James Tarkowski – 6
Made a goal-saving tackle on Matheus Cunha from about two yards out at 1-0 down to at least give Everton hope of a comeback. Lost his bearings to allow Sesko a free header in the box, which is unforgivable. Ultimately, it’s going to be a long season for the likes of Tarkowski if those ahead of him don’t pull their finger out. Feels like a sitting duck.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 6
Didn’t do much wrong at the back or much right in attack. A fairly non-descript afternoon for a defender that spent years on United’s radar. Given his size, Everton need to find a way to make him more of a weapon on set pieces.
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 4
Not good enough. Too slow off the mark as Mbeumo drove forward to score and then enraged 90 per cent of this stadium when he hesitated to go for a 50-50 with Cunha when United looked to break following a corner. Makes the wrong decision time after time after time.
Vitali Mykolenko too often makes the wrong decision and United exposed that time and again
James Garner – 6
The former United academy midfielder started well, fizzing balls around and he was quicker to loose balls, much to the annoyance of Michael Carrick. But his influence waned as it wore on and he eventually left with cramp.
Harrison Armstrong – 6.5
Fans love him and there were moments here to see why they were so vocal in expressing their desire to keep him from the clutches of Nottingham Forest. Often found himself exasperated at the lack of support, and lack of ideas, around him. Booked for a stray arm clipping Bruno Fernandes.
Brennan Johnson – 5
Everton was supposed to be a reset for a player that has never kicked on since scoring the winner in the Europa League final, ironically against Manchester United, in Bilbao. Johnson has plenty of experience but didn’t come close to truly troubling United’s back-line.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 5.5
The focus of Everton’s latest viral supporter chant but certainly not the focal point of this side, despite playing as the No 10. Drifted through too much of this game. Needs to demand the ball, put his foot on it and manufacture some attacks, just like Jack Grealish did when he came on. Take more responsibility.
Tyrique George – 8
The Everton youngster had Diogo Dalot seeing stars for much of the afternoon as he spun him inside and out before producing an absolute thunderbolt to open his account for the Toffees. Everton’s attack looks porous after a nightmare transfer window but George is a diamond. Keeping him fit is essential.
Tyrique George was a constant thorn in the side of Manchester United and deserved his goal
Thierno Barry – 6
Should score 43 minutes in when Rohl’s cross goes over the head of Maguire to give him a free header a handful of yards out. Two stunning strikes helped Everton to a point here but if they are to kick on this season they simply have to have Barry – the only senior centre forward on the books – fit and firing.
MANAGER: David Moyes – 7.5
Has his hands tied after the mishandling from those above in the transfer window but credit to him for his substitutions here. Jack Grealish changed the game and Ainsley Maitland-Niles produced a famous goal that won’t be forgotten here. Fortunate, but you make your own luck in this league.
SUBS
Jack Grealish (for Brennan Johnson, 66) – 8
Hayden Hackney (for Merlin Rohl 75) – 6
Ainsley Maitland-Niles (for James Garner, 77) – 7
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Senne Lammens – 6
Was on a watching brief for much of this until Everton unleashed two missiles in his direction that no goalkeeper in this league is keeping out. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and accept it as a goalkeeper and here were two prime examples. One of those days.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Never got to grips with Tyrique George all afternoon and has to find a way to adapt his game when he knows the winger has him for pace. Picked up a late booking as he became frustrated, which wasn’t a surprise given so little came off for him.
Harry Maguire – 6
Looked like his race may have been run when he was flattened inside two minutes after a nasty clash of heads with Barry. Got away with one when Barry misguided a header after he’d peeled off Maguire but all in all the towering centre back was perfectly fine.
Harry Maguire was dejected as he looked up while on his knees after Everton’s late equaliser
Lisandro Martinez – 6
A quiet game from the Argentine and that’s not always the worst thing. Made a couple of key headers but his through-the-lines passing, something which massively elevates United to being a top team, was largely absent here. When there is only one striker to deal with – and not a great one – he needs to do a lot more with the ball.
Luke Shaw – 8
So much pressure is on Shaw’s shoulders to stay fit and go the distance after United elected against signing another left back. On this evidence he’s bang up for the challenge. Immense at both ends and his cross was on the money for Sesko to nod in. Ran up and down and showed no signs of fatigue.
Youri Tielemans – 6
Still feels like he’s trying to find his way in this side and find the best way to influence games as he so often did for Aston Villa. Does the basics really well and some of his footwork is as delicate as a ballet dancer.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6.5
Didn’t have the influence that he showed in the demolition of Ipswich Town last week but he always showed for the ball, even after being caught in possession a couple of times early on. The next stage of his development will be finding that next gear to dominate and dictate games like this.
Bryan Mbeumo – 7
Has a habit of struggling for long spells in games but keeps adding goals and this was a beauty to break the deadlock. Mbeumo is not a natural winger and did look more suited in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1. But what he is good at, when his confidence is up, is putting the ball in the net. Needs to keep being direct up against inferior full-backs.
Bryan Mbeumo set United on their way but he needs to stay direct when beating his man
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Let his team-mates have it when he found himself committing to the high press and others didn’t follow suit. Hit the crossbar eight minutes in after connecting to Mbeumo’s header and was a busy bee chasing after the ball. Second half his control on proceedings waned and United needed him to calm it down when it became a back-and-forth contest.
Marcus Rashford – 7.5
Go ahead and hit the ‘like a new signing’ klaxon. Rashford was a complete menace down the left and had the beating of Rohl all afternoon. Deserved an assist for his deft backheel inside the area which had the goal at Cunha’s mercy, save for Tarkowski’s heroic interception. Performance wise, United’s best player for the 70 minutes he was on the pitch.
Matheus Cunha – 6
So often shows moments of real quality but in equal measure he can be just as frustrating when his execution is off. Being deployed through the middle doesn’t maximise his game but three touches in the Everton area and just one wayward shot to his name before coming off, you expect more.
MANAGER: Michael Carrick – 6.5
If his sides cannot go on to kill games, like they did last week when Ipswich lost their heads, then they will always be susceptible to suckerpunches like this one. Looked absolutely gutted at the end after the Sesko substitution paid dividends with the 88th-minute header. That’s back-to-back away games without a win now.
SUBS
Patrick Dorgu (for Marcus Rashford, 70) – 6
Benjamin Sesko (for Matheus Cunha, 70) – 7
Leny Yoro (for Diogo Dalot, 84) – 6
Andrey Santos (for Kobbie Mainoo, 84) – 6
