Manchester United staged a late fightback to salvage a 2-2 draw from their away meeting with Everton.
Man United head coach Ruben Amorim insisted that he had seen positive signs in training despite the team's recent poor run of form.
However, there were certainly no signs of improvement in a woeful first-half display where the visitors failed to register a single shot on target.
As a result, Everton ultimately deserved to head into the break with a two-goal lead courtesy of goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Man United appeared to be heading towards a defeat until Bruno Fernandes produced a moment of magic, before Manuel Ugarte netted his first goal for the club to restore parity at Goodison Park.
Despite showing great character, the Red Devils were still fortunate to leave with a point after referee Andy Madley overturned his late decision to award Everton a spot kick.
As a result of the draws, the Toffees finish the contest in 12th position, keeping them one point ahead of Man United in 15th place.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
David Moyes will be slightly frustrated after his side gave up a two-goal lead despite the that fact his Everton side extended their unbeaten run to six Premier League matches.
However, the Everton boss will also be annoyed following the decision to overturn the award of a late penalty which would have given them a golden chance to claim all three points.
From Man United's perspective, they can take positives from the character that they showed to claw their way back into the contest.
However, Amorim still has significant work to do after his team failed to live up to expectations for at least an hour of Saturday's away clash.
The Man United head coach will be challenging his players to produce the performance from the final 20 minutes to half-hour in their upcoming fixtures.
EVERTON VS. MAN UNITED HIGHLIGHTS
Beto goal vs. Man United (19th min, Everton 1-0 Man United)
Beto gets his 5th in 4 PL games to put Everton ahead!! 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
Everton are FLYING 🔥🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Sf32WIauD3
Everton lead at Goodison Park. Man United fail to clear their lines from a corner, before Doucoure heads it into Beto's path. The Everton forward drives his shot into the ground and past Andre Onana, leading to a lengthy VAR review for a potential offside which eventually delivers the answer that the home faithful were looking for.
Doucoure goal vs. Man United (33rd min, Everton 2-0 Man United)
2-0 Everton!!! 🔵
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
It's an incredible opening half an hour for the Toffees! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/fTKrdgY1H4
It only gets worse for Amorim and Man United. Onana makes a stop to deny Jack Harrison, but the goalkeeper can only push the ball up in the air, inviting Doucoure to head it home from close range, sparking scenes of jubilation around Goodison Park.
Fernandes goal vs. Everton (72nd min, Everton 2-1 Man United)
Bruno Fernandes gives Man United a lifeline... 🎯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
Beautiful freekick, game on!! ⚔️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Av8C5urKyr
Fernandes gives Man United hope. The midfielder sees his initial free kick touch an Everton hand, giving him another set-piece situation to try his luck. The Man United skipper steps up to fire a free kick into the far corner just as Jordan Pickford made a movement to his right at the wrong time.
Ugarte goal vs. Everton (80th min, Everton 2-2 Man United)
What on earth!? Ugarte with a cracking half-volley 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
Man United come from nowhere to level the match! ⚡⚡
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/X0ckQtYDQw
Man United pulled level following another Fernandes free kick. Beto attempts to head the ball clear from Fernandes's floated delivery, but it drops kindly for Ugarte to chest it down and lash a left-footed strike past Pickford to restore parity.
Penalty drama (94th min, Everton 2-2 Man United)
NO PENALTY- DRAMA AT THE END!!!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
Upon review, Everton do NOT have a late penalty against Man United! 😱 pic.twitter.com/HuCJVpf9NI
The referee awards Everton a penalty in stoppage time after Ashley Young goes to the ground under pressure from Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt. There appears to be some contact but the referee is sent to the monitor to review his decision. The official consults with the technology before overturning his on-field decision to the fury of the Everton faithful.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRUNO FERNANDES
© Imago
Doucoure certainly deserves a mention for his impressive display, registering a goal and an assist in a dominant first half at Goodison Park.
However, Fernandes probably pips the Everton midfielder after providing the spark to ignite Man United's late comeback at Goodison Park in a true captain's performance.
The 30-year-old gave Man United hope with his 60th Premier League goal, before another one of his free kicks led to the all-important equaliser.
Fernandes also threatened to win the game for the visitors, with his fierce shot forcing a fingertip stop from Pickford.
EVERTON VS. MAN UNITED MATCH STATS
Possession: Everton 38%-62% Man United
Shots: Everton 9-9 Man United
Shots on target: Everton 8-3 Man United
Corners: Everton 7-8 Man United
Fouls: Everton 12-9 Man United
BEST STATS
Before David Moyes returned to the club, Everton had the 2nd worst conversion rate in the Premier League.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
Since his return, they have the 2nd best conversion rate in the Premier League.
Firing them in. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wrBGtgHyKW
PL goals:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 22, 2025
60 — Bruno Fernandes
59 — David Silva pic.twitter.com/ion0Nc49Ne
Man United this season:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 22, 2025
W4 D6 L4 under Erik ten Hag
W3 D1 L0 under Ruud van Nistelrooy
W9 D4 L9 under Ruben Amorim
The more things change, the more they stay the same. pic.twitter.com/Mgt0bCYwMz
WHAT NEXT?
Everton will attempt to record a third consecutive away victory in Wednesday's Premier League clash against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
As for the Red Devils, they will be desperate to pick up all three points when they welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford on Wednesday.
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