United Take A Point At Everton

Premier League: Everton 1-1 Manchester United

Manchester United missed the chance to close the gap on Chelsea as they drew 1-1 away at Everton at Goodison Park.

United came into the game after a big win in the Europa League after beating Club Bruges 5-0 at Old Trafford to progress to the round of 16 stage. Everton came in with a defeat in their last fixture as they lost 3-2 away at Arsenal. 

United endured a dreadful start as the hosts were ahead after just three minutes. David De Gea took his time with a clearance which was hunted down by former Stalybridge Celtic striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin which bounced off the striker and into the net. A horror show from the Spaniard to gift Everton the lead. 

Everton were in again as Calvert-Lewin latched onto a long ball from Michael Keane but De Gea was on hand to palm his effort out for a corner. 

United responded from that early setback when Nemanja Matic's shot from outside the box smacked against the Everton crossbar and had Everton keeper Jordan Pickford beaten. 

Then on the 31st minute, United were level and this time it was Pickford’s turn to make a goalkeeping error. Golden Boy Bruno Fernandes drove at the defence before striking at goal with a driven shot that bounced just before the goal and nestling at the near post. A good strike but one that you felt that Pickford should’ve saved. 

In the second-half, Everton looked the stronger team and went close as Gylfi Sigurdsson curled a freekick from the left which crashed off the post much to the delight of United. 

Pickford produced a superb double save late on as he tipped Fernandes’ shot into the path of Odion Ighalo and when the striker struck the keeper was there to throw himself in front of the shot and prevent a winner. 

Then in the dying moments, Everton thought they had snatched the three points. Sigurdsson was through and his effort was saved by De Gea and Calvert-Lewin followed up with a low effort that deflected off of Harry Maguire and into the net. But the goal was ruled out by the video assistant referee in added time because Sigurdsson had been lying on the ground in front of De Gea in an offside position.

A controversial end to the game but both sides had to settle for a point. There was even time for Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti to be shown a red card after the game for his protests. 

Next up for United it's a trip to Derby County in the FA Cup on Thursday, before the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.