Maitland-Niles stunner deep into stoppage time rescued Everton as David Moyes’ depleted side twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead shortly after half-time before Tyrique George brought Everton level. Benjamin Sesko appeared to have won the game for Michael Carrick’s side with two minutes remaining, only for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to produce a spectacular curling finish six minutes into added time.
The result keeps Everton unbeaten after three Premier League matches, although their growing shortage of attacking options remains a major concern following a difficult transfer window.
Maitland-Niles stunner breaks Manchester United hearts
United began the game with greater attacking intent and nearly opened the scoring inside eight minutes when Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar after Mbeumo had knocked the ball down inside the Everton penalty area.
The visitors continued to threaten, with Marcus Rashford proving particularly dangerous as Everton struggled to create opportunities of their own.
Everton’s best spell arrived shortly before the interval. Thierno Barry, who had emerged as the club’s leading scorer this season, headed over from Merlin Rohl’s excellent delivery before Jarrad Branthwaite forced Senne Lammens into a save.
United finally broke through less than a minute after the restart.
Mbeumo collected the ball from Kobbie Mainoo and produced a superb curling finish beyond Jordan Pickford, doubling his Premier League tally for the season and putting United in front.
Everton responded with greater urgency, and Moyes turned to his substitutes in an attempt to change the momentum. Jack Grealish and Hayden Hackney were introduced, and the changes eventually paid dividends.
Hackney played an important role in the equaliser, setting up George, who fired a powerful effort into the near corner to make it 1-1.
Tyrique George goal gives Everton renewed hope
Tyrique George goal looked set to give Everton the platform they needed to complete their comeback, but United regained control during the closing stages.
Sesko, who had already scored on his previous visit to Everton, struck again when he rose to meet Luke Shaw’s cross and headed the ball past Pickford.
At 2-1, United appeared destined to claim their first away victory of the season. Instead, Maitland-Niles delivered a moment of extraordinary quality.
The deadline-day arrival from Lyon received the ball in the closing minutes and curled an unstoppable effort beyond Lammens, leaving the United goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
It was Maitland-Niles’ first Premier League goal since December 2019 and only the 15th goal of his senior career, making the timing and quality of the finish even more remarkable.
The goal sparked wild celebrations inside Hill Dickinson Stadium and completed a comeback that had looked unlikely only moments earlier.
Everton’s transfer problems remain a concern
Although Maitland-Niles stunner provided Everton with a memorable point, the performance also exposed the consequences of their activity during the transfer window.
Everton had already lost Iliman N’Diaye to Manchester City in a deal worth up to £65 million, while Beto also departed and Nathan Patterson joined Torino. Their failure to replace those players has left Moyes with only 18 senior outfield players until January.
A late attempt to sign Folarin Balogun also collapsed before the transfer window closed, leaving Everton’s manager with limited options in attack.
The situation was particularly evident during the game. Grealish, who returned to the club on loan, immediately appeared to be one of Everton’s most creative outlets, while the eventual match-saving goal came from Maitland-Niles, a player more accustomed to operating in midfield or at full-back.
Everton are now one of only seven Premier League sides still unbeaten after three matches, but maintaining that record could become increasingly difficult if injuries and fatigue begin to affect Moyes’ thin squad.
Manchester United’s defensive weakness exposed again
For United, the late collapse represented another frustrating afternoon on the road.
Carrick’s side had enough attacking quality to win the match, with Mbeumo and Sesko both finding the net, while Rashford and Fernandes also caused problems. Yet their defensive frailties continue to undermine their progress.
United lost away to newly promoted Hull City on the opening weekend before conceding twice against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford last week. They have now conceded at least two goals in each of their first three league matches for the first time in five years.
That is particularly worrying for a team hoping to build on last season’s third-place finish.
With Rashford, Fernandes, Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha providing considerable attacking firepower, United have the weapons to challenge strong opponents. However, they will need greater defensive discipline if they are to turn promising performances into consistent victories.
For Everton, meanwhile, Maitland-Niles stunner ensured a turbulent week ended with another valuable point. For United, it was another reminder that failing to close out games could prove costly as the season develops.
