Late Maitland-Niles wondergoal rescues Everton with 2-2 draw with Manchester United

Ainsley Maitland-Niles marked his Everton debut with a stoppage-time equalizer as David Moyes’ side drew 2-2 with Manchester United in their Premier League clash at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

Manchester United looked to have secured all three points when Benjamin Sesko put them back in front in the 88th minute. But Maitland-Niles struck in stoppage time and fired a first-time effort into the top corner from around 30 yards to keep Everton’s unbeaten start to the season intact.

The result leaves United with four points from their opening three games, while Everton have five. United are 11th in the table and Everton are eighth.

United had more of the ball in the opening half but struggled to create clear chances. Marcus Rashford gets past Merlin Rhl in the 20th minute and sends a low cross into the box, but Matheus Cunha misses the target.

Everton had their best chance before the break when Rhl found space on the wing and picked out Thiern Barry. The striker’s header from close range went just over the crossbar. Bruno Fernandes also went close for United but Jarrad Branthwaite made two timely blocks to deny him.

United took the lead soon after the restart. Bryan Mbeumo delivered the ball into the Everton box with little resistance before finding the bottom corner behind Jordan Pickford.

Everton responded by increasing the pressure and began to find more space in the final third. Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to equalize after Tyrique George’s move but failed to get a proper touch on the ball.

The equalizer finally came in the 83rd minute. Hayden Hackney’s pass found George, who made no mistake with a powerful finish into the top corner.

United restored their lead five minutes later. Luke Shaw combined with Fernandes to deliver a cross for Cesko, whose header found the far corner. Pickford got a hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it.

Everton refused to settle for defeat and pressed forward in search of another equaliser.

In the final moments, Hackney pulled the ball back into the area and United managed to clear, but only to Maitland-Niles. The substitute took the ball for the first time and curled it into the upper left corner to make it 2:2.

It was a memorable way for Maitland-Niles to start his Everton career and enough to earn Moyes’ side a point after twice falling behind.

– The end

Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

06 Sep 2026 20:48 IST