Everton 2-2 Man United: Bruno Fernandes’s stunning free-kick sparks late Red Devils comeback… before Toffees are controversially denied a stoppage-time penalty

We were in the third minute of added time when referee Andy Madley awarded Everton a penalty and Goodison Park erupted. Could the foundations of the old place withstand another late drama after James Tarkowski’s injury-time equaliser in the Merseyside derby last week?

Any more of this and Everton could be moving to Bramley-Moore sooner than they thought.

Madley had spotted former Manchester United player Ashley Young going down in an off-the-ball challenge with Harry Maguire as they tried to reach the loose ball after Andre Onana had saved from Idrissa Gueye.

The Everton fans sensed another memorable moment in the Goodison send-off and United were staring at a ninth Premier League defeat in 13 games – and a heartbreaking one at that after fighting back from two goals down.

But Madley was advised to go the pitch-side monitor by VAR referee Matthew Donohue who had earlier ruled in Everton’s favour for the opening goal, and the referee overturned his decision.

So United’s last-ever visit here ended in a lively draw as a resurgent Everton were denied another win under David Moyes. It was deserved on the back of their second-half performance after a wretched first period from the visitors. You never know what you are going to get from Ruben Amorim’s side.

The official was instructed to review his call at the pitchside monitor after VAR looked at the incident

Madley reversed his decision after taking another look and deciding there was not sufficient contact on Ashley Young 

The Portuguese coach made just one change from the defeat at Tottenham on Sunday, bringing back Manuel Ugarte after injury to shore up midfield.

The Uruguayan played alongside Casemiro in midfield, allowing Bruno Fernandes to take up a more advanced role at the expense of Alejandro Garnacho who dropped to the bench.

Garnacho scored the goal of the season in this fixture in November 2023 and has been one of United’s most creative players despite speculation over his future at Old Trafford in January, but Amorim wanted a more physical edge to his team.

‘We know we need to win a lot of duels,’ said the United boss before kick-off. ‘We know it’s going to be a physical game. I want to see a team who can cope with that game and then we have to improve the way we play with the ball.’

The reality was that United were second best in every department during a shambolic first half in which they conceded twice and barely laid a glove on their opponents.

Their only real chance came in the 14th minute when Patrick Dorgu cut the ball back for Rasmus Hojlund whose toe-poke was saved by Jordan Pickford. Otherwise, United’s £110million strike force of Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee might as well have stayed at home.

Amorim’s side looked devoid of confidence and ideas against an Everton team buoyant on the back of their revival under David Moyes. Some United players looked like they didn’t want the ball, others didn’t know what to do with it.

United were outfought in midfield and jittery in defence which only helped to contribute to the two goals that gave their opponents a deserved lead.

Everton grabbed an early lead when Beto scored his fifth goal in his last four Premier League matches

Abdoulaye Doucoure grabbed a second for the Toffees before the break after stealing march on Harry Maguire

The first arrived in the 20th minute after Casemiro lost the ball in the Everton half and Maguire was forced to concede a corner. United had chances to clear their lines in the game of head tennis that followed, but Abdoulaye Doucoure – returning after suspension – nodded goalwards and Jesper Lindstrom swung at the ball which fell for Beto to beat Onana from close-range.

Did Lindstrom get the faintest of touches to render his teammate offside? A lengthy VAR check decided the goal should stand and Beto had his fifth goal in the last four Premier League games. It was also the first time Everton had scored against United in the last five league games between the two clubs.

They didn’t have to wait very long for another. A simple pass from Lindstrom opened up United and left them two on two. Noussair Mazraoui raced across to close down Beto on the right, but he squared the ball to Jack Harrison who cut inside Maguire and fired on goal. 

Onana saved but the ball looped invitingly up into the air for Doucoure to rise in front of Maguire and head into an empty net.

There was more bite to United after the interval and maybe it had something to do with what went on in the tunnel at half-time. Certainly Everton captain James Tarkowski looked unhappy as he emerged for the second half, pointing at Ugarte and then towards the tunnel. Referee Madley had a word with Ugarte and United skipper Fernandes while Tarkowski continued to vent his feelings from inside the Everton half before the second half kicked off.

Doucoure came close to making it three when he forced a fine reflex save from Onana shortly after the hour mark before United turned the game on its head with two goals in the space of eight minutes.

The game had been crying out for the pace and penetration of Garnacho and he was sent on for Casemiro in the 62nd minute. 

Four minutes later the young Argentina international drew a foul by Doucoure who then handled Fernandes’ first free kick attempt. It gave him a second go slightly nearer goal, and this time Fernades curled the ball over the wall and past a stranded Pickford.

Bruno Fernandes sparked a late revival for Manchester United against Everton on Saturday afternoon

The Red Devils skipper dispatched his set piece into the bottom corner of the net in 72nd minute

Manuel Ugarte completed the fightback with a well-taken half volley from the edge of the Toffees area

Ruben Amorim’s in-game changes spared his side another demoralising league defeat

The equaliser in the 80th minute also came from a free kick after Young, on for Lindstrom, fouled Dorgu. This time Fernandes swung the ball to the edge of the six-yard box where Beto headed clear but only to Ugarte who chested it down and volleyed home.

Beto headed straight at Onana from Young’s cross and Pickford tipped another Fernandes effort over the bar as the game see-sawed towards a conclusion.

Then in the 93rd minute, Fernandes inexplicably lofted a first-time pass back into his own penalty area and United were in trouble. The ball was played back to Gueye who tried his luck from 20 yards. Onana parried, the ball bounced loose and down went Young.

Goodison roared for a penalty and Madley gave it. We were all set for another raucous finish but it wasn’t to be, and the boos for the referee at full-time were no surprise.