In a thrilling encounter at Goodison Park on February 22, 2025, Manchester United pulled off a dramatic comeback to draw 2-2 with Everton. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a controversial moment that was subjected to a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
First Half Dominance by Everton
The hosts, Everton, started strong, quickly establishing their dominance. On the 19th minute, Beto broke the deadlock after expertly heading in a cross from Abdoulaye Doucouré following a corner. This was just the beginning of Everton's aggressive play.
Shortly after, Everton doubled their advantage around the 30-minute mark. It was Doucouré once again in the spotlight, capitalizing on the chaos in the box. With Jack Harrison's initial shot only partially cleared by United's goalkeeper Andre Onana, Doucouré was on hand to slot the rebound home, giving the home side a comfortable two-goal lead heading into halftime.
A Resilient United Fight Back
The first half saw United struggling to make an impact, but the second half was a different story. Manager Ruben Amorim's halftime pep talk seemed to work wonders as United came back with renewed vigor.
In the 72nd minute, Bruno Fernandes provided a lifeline with a beautifully executed precise free-kick that left Everton's defense helpless. The goal brought United back into the contest and set the stage for a frenetic final period.
Only eight minutes later, Manuel Ugarte brought joy to United fans with a stunning goal that hit the top corner, leaving the Everton goalkeeper with no chance. Suddenly, it was level pegging at Goodison, with the momentum having swung in favor of the visiting side.
Just when the match seemed to settle, it reached a fever pitch during stoppage time. Everton was awarded a penalty after a handball was called against Casemiro. However, United's fortunes turned as VAR intervened to overturn the decision, ruling no handball had occurred. The verdict left Everton's players visibly frustrated, convinced they had a chance to seal a victory.
The draw leaves Manchester United in a precarious 15th position in the Premier League table, a stark reminder of the team's struggles this season. On the other hand, Everton sit slightly above, but both teams have much to reflect upon, whether it's defensive lapses or missed opportunities.