Everton 2-2 Manchester United: Toffees denied late penalty while Red Devils save a point

Everton 2-2 Manchester United: Toffees denied late penalty while Red Devils save a point

Everton was denied a penalty late when Manchester United came from two goals to save a point in a fascinating Premier League collision in Goodison Park.

The in-shape Toffees dominated the first half and ran in a 2-0 lead of goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.

But the side of Ruben Amorim, who has now only won four of the 15 league games since the Portuguese manager took the lead in November, produced an improved performance after the break and the scores through impressive strikes of Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte.

The hosts then had a criminal decision that was destroyed by VAR deep in the stopping, to the great disappointment of Baas David Moyes.

The result moves a revival of Everton to 12th, while United stays in 15th place.

How the action unfolded

Both managers opted for a more informal dress for the early kick-off, with Moyes taking on a black sweater, while Amorim wore a rather retro-looking hoodie.

But the visitors saw far away from the United side of yesteryear, because Everton looked very much as the team in shape. Their energetic high-press constantly brought a united side under increasing pressure.

And the swing of the Toffees almost paid dividends within five minutes when Everton Unitededededed on the edge of their own box was only for Beto’s Tamme Header directly at Andre Onana.

Although it was vulnerable, Amorim’s side then close when Patrick Dorgu returned the ball to Rasmus Hojlund after a penetrating United Move, but his Teenpoke was saved by Jordan Pickford.

In 19 minutes, however, it was the reviving hosts who first struck, Beto who pulled the ball into the net after United was not released from a corner.

Amorim cut a remarkably frustrated figure on the touchline with United again looked for a new difficult afternoon.

And yes, it went from bad to worse for United when Doucoure doubled the lead for the dominant toffees when he responded the fastest after Onana had pararied Jack Harrison’s efforts.

Everton is said to have been made three in the first half of the stopping time of the Noussair Mazraoui, which blocked the low cross of Doucoure with Beto ready to tap home.

United needed its own revival if they had some hope to save something from the game.

Although there was an improvement after the break, Amorim’s side continued to offer little in the future, with Hojlund, who just did not find it in 16 games, an almost anonymous figure at the top.

In the meantime, the hosts seemed hungry for a third. The impressive Doucoure almost brought the game to bed when his volley was saved brilliantly by Onana.

But just as United seemed to be on the ropes, they got a lifeline when Fernandes, who had fallen further back as an in-depth playmaker, sent a beautiful 20-year free kick to the far corner.

Suddenly the game was on. And eight minutes later it was all square when the powerful strike of Ugarte Pickford defeated completely.

What a very unlikely scenario seemed to happen during the break. With 10 minutes from the game, it was now united in the steering accumulation.

But there would be more drama in this Topsy-Turvy meeting on MerseSide. Beto had another chance too late before Everton initially received a penalty when replacement Ashley Young went into the box.

Referee Andy Madley pointed to the place, but after a long VAR check, his decision was destroyed, much to Moyes.

For United and Amorim, the result will do little to illuminate the pressure mounting of the Portuguese manager. Despite the controversy around the spot kick, it will feel two points for Everton.

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