A Dominic Calvert-Lewin equaliser in stoppage time left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in shock, as the Toffees left Old Trafford with a point, condemning United to another disappointing home result.
A game which had everything ended with the spoils being shared. Edinson Cavani gave United the lead with a close-range header after Marcus Rashford found the Uruguayan at the back post with a superb cross.
The Red Devils seemed to have the game wrapped up at 2-0 after a goal of individual brilliance from Bruno Fernandes for his 13th Premier League goal of the season, but it turned out to be unlucky 13 for the midfielder and his United side.
Everton came out for the second-half a team transformed. A team which struggled to pass forward in the first-half saw themselves back in the game within the opening minutes of the second half.
Tom Davies fed Calvert-Lewin who raced clear of Harry Maguire. The striker’s ball into the box was weak and was pushed away poorly by David De Gea straight into the onrushing Abdoulaye Doucoure’s path and he made no mistake from close range.
United had barely come to terms with conceding and Everton were level. This time Doucoure turned creator finding James Rodriguez who left De Gea with no chance.
After losing a 2-0 lead this was a test for the hosts. They had to react and go again if they wanted to keep up their title chance with a win moving them level on points with rivals Manchester City.
Solskjaer’s men managed to find a way to regain the lead in the most heartbreaking fashion for Everton with Scott McTominay latching onto a Luke Shaw free-kick. With the ball looping into the corner, Everton’s goalkeeper Robin Olsen was caught by surprise as United thought they had grabbed the winner.
Rashford had the opportunity to grab a fourth and the three points, but he cut back onto his left foot and saw his effort go wide, a miss that would prove to be very costly.
In the fifth minute of injury time, United’s defence was to blame again as Lucas Digne’s free-kick was not dealt with by De Gea or equally to blame Harry Maguire who as a captain should be taking charge of the situation, the ball was flicked on by Michael Keane and landed at the feet of Calvert-Lewin and he made no mistake grabbing a point for Ancelotti’s side.
Carlo Ancelotti was over the moon with a point from this fixture as he complimented his players
“Fantastic Spirit, Fantastic attitude.
” They never lost the spirit and ambition to get the result”.
The draw takes Everton up to sixth, two points behind West Ham in fifth and three points behind Merseyside rivals Liverpool in fourth.
After this weekend fixture, the Blues have two games in hand on the two sides, with the Merseyside Derby only two weeks away. A result which keeps Everton in a European spot with the top four firmly in their sights.
United’s home form all season has been a major factor why they are not top of the league. They started the season with back to back home defeats against Crystal Palace and Tottenham.
Only getting their first home league win of the season in their fifth game a 1-0 win against West Bromwich Albion. Since then United have been very inconsistent at Old Trafford winning three of their next four before losing to Sheffield United.
At home so far this season United have only won five of their 12 home league matches, dropping 18 points already. It is only their excellent away form that is keeping them in second taking 26 points from a possible 33.
In his post-match interview with Sky, Solskjaer was pleased with his sides second-half performance: “We dominated possession and created chances” but he was disappointed to concede three goals from three shots on target.
When asked about his sides title chances Solskjaer said:
“We’re not talking about winning titles.
“We have come a long way this team.
“We shouldn’t even be considered as title chasers”.
The draw leaves United in second two points behind leaders Manchester City ahead of their trip to Anfield. A win for City would extend the gap to five points with Guardiola’s side having a game in hand over the Red Devils. With Solskjaer ruling out their title challenge he will look to the FA Cup for silverware this season with his side set to face West Ham at home in midweek.
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