By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser on his Everton debut as the Toffees held Manchester United to a dramatic 2-2 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.
Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko were on target for Manchester United, while Tyrique George and Maitland-Niles struck for David Moyes’ side.
United made a bright start and came close to opening the scoring in the eighth minute when Bruno Fernandes met Luke Shaw’s delivery with an improvised volley that crashed against the crossbar.
Everton gradually grew into the contest, with Thierno Barry heading over from Merlin Röhl’s cross before Jarrad Branthwaite directed a late first-half effort straight at United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
The two sides, however, went into the break with the scoreline still goalless.
Manchester United needed barely two minutes after the restart to take the lead.
Mbeumo collected the ball on the right, cut inside and curled a low effort beyond Jordan Pickford into the far corner to put Michael Carrick’s side ahead.
The goal sparked Everton into life as the hosts pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Moyes introduced Jack Grealish, Hayden Hackney and Maitland-Niles as the Toffees increased the pressure on the visitors.
Everton were finally rewarded in the 83rd minute when Hackney drove forward before finding George, who unleashed a superb strike into the top corner to make it 1-1.
United responded almost immediately and restored their advantage four minutes later.
Fernandes released Shaw down the left and the defender delivered a teasing cross for substitute Sesko, who powered a header past Pickford to make it 2-1.
The goal appeared to have secured all three points for the Red Devils, but Everton refused to surrender.
Deep into stoppage time, a cleared corner dropped to Maitland-Niles around 30 yards from goal and the substitute produced a spectacular strike into the top corner to send the home supporters into wild celebration.
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