Second Half Comeback And VAR Drama Forces The Points To Be Shared
- Spirit of The News
- Feb 22
- 4 min read
Manchester United’s second-half comeback from the two-goal deficit suffered through goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure forced the points to be shared, with an extremely controversial penalty shout in the final moments of the game.
Lineups:
Everton:
Pickford
Mykolenko
Branthwaite
Tarkowski
O'Brien
Gueye
Garner
Lindstrom
Doucoure
Harrison
Beto
Manchester United:
Onana
Mazraoui
Maguire
De Ligt
Dorgu
Casemiro
Dalot
Ugarte
Fernandes
Hojlund
Zirkzee
David Moyes, today, hosted his former club Manchester United at Goodison Park, where the Scottish manager spent a disastrous ten months. However, since then Moyes’ managerial setup was improved, meaning that the expectations for both sides were conflicting, a range of unique predictions for the encounter. Despite this, Everton began in the right way!
In the 19th minute of the first ball, Jack Harrison whipped in a cross into the centre of the Manchester United penalty area. Taking a load of headed knock-ons, both sides taking it in turns to clear the ball, United's defence, and to keep the attack alive, the bundle of Everton players in the box. 7 headers of the ball with the last one being off Abdoulaye Doucoure, and with the guidance of an off-balance James Garner, the ball fell to Beto. The Portuguese striker has been in a rich vein of form since David Moyes has taken over as first-team manager, and that continued as the 27-year-old smashed the ball into the ground, carrying enough power to lift over the Cameroonian goalkeeper and into the roof of the Gwladys' Street net, giving Everton the advantage.
Beto Since David Moyes Appointment:
Appearances: 6
Goals: 5
Assists: 0
Joy spread around Goodison Park as the common theme of crumbling confidence was more than likely to occur for both the staff and squad of Manchester United, and it was not long after that the Toffees would add to the one-goal deficit they have applied on Amorim's side, perhaps emphasising the melancholy morale of their opponents.
In the 33rd minute, Doucoure picked up the ball, sparking an Everton counterattack that the Mali midfielder would soon pounce on. A curved-through ball by Jesper Lindstrom was pinpointed to perfection into the path of the goalscorer, Beto, playing it across the box to Jack Harrison, who had a shot saved as Onana palmed the ball awkwardly into the air. Whilst the ball was above everyone in the penalty area, Doucoure towered over, and whilst the Manchester United goalkeeper remained on the floor due to the save prior, the Everton midfielder had the simple job of heading it into the back of the net and doing so! The Blues were 2-0 up now, being the last notable event of the first half.
The expectation for the second half for Everton was to hold on to the lead, leaving Goodison Park with an extremely important three points in terms of becoming mathematically safe from relegation. However, this was not the case. Whatever Ruben Amorim said in the away dressing room must have worked a treat. Although for the first portion of the second half, Everton should have possibly scored a third, Jake O'Brien's cross into Beto, who had a volley saved, was one major chance to end the game that was not converted, leaving the game open for both sides, and it wasn't until the 72nd minute.
Receiving a free kick on the edge of the box, Bruno Fernandes was set up, shooting the ball but unfortunately for the Portuguese attacking midfielder, being blocked by Doucoure. However, the referee decided that Doucoure committed a handball, and Fernandes had a second opportunity to reduce the Toffees' advantage from a much closer range this time out. In perhaps the most perfect position for a free kick, alongside a poorly placed wall by the man in between the sticks for Everton, Jordan Pickford, Fernandes curled the ball around the wall into the opposite, bottom right-hand corner of the net, leaving Pickford stunned as England's number one didn't even move for the ball. Scenes of clear passion from a number of players in red and a roar from the away end; quite the opposite for the 39,257 home fans!
Bruno Fernandes Manchester United Stats:
Appearances: 271
Goals: 89
Assists: 78
Yellow Cards: 39
Sending offs: 3
It only took Man United 8 minutes after Fernandes' world-class free kick; the 30-year-old had another, this time, and rightly so, deciding to cross the ball into the danger area. A poor clearance meant the opportunity came to Uruguayan midfielder Ugarte on the edge of the box, controlling it with his chest before smashing it past Pickford. Manchester United now believed they could get a winner; however, it was Everton that had the greater chances.
Long way through the five additional minutes indicated by the fourth official, Idrissa Gana Gueye had a shot saved, and in the heat of the moment, a dramatic Andre Onana palmed the ball out, where Ashley Young was more than likely to put the ball into the back of the net. However, a pull of the jersey by Harry Maguire and a weaker tug by De Ligt forced the veteran fullback down to the floor. Referee Andy Madley gave the penalty at first sight before changing his mind after a lengthy VAR decision, even going to the monitor. Lots of controversy has emerged, with more people online clearly being in favour of the referee's original decision instead of the VAR outcome.
The decision caused the game to end as a draw, 2-2, and the points were shared. The other results went in favour of the Blues, as all three teams within the relegation zone currently, Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town, were all defeated. Here is how the Premier League fixtures shaped up to be yesterday and today, and also the fixtures upcoming:
Premier League Gameweek 26:
Friday 21st February:
Leicester City 0-4 Brentford
Saturday 22nd February:
Everton 2-2 Man United
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham
Bournemouth 0-1 Wolves
Fulham 0-2 Crystal Palace
Ipswich Town 1-4 Spurs
Southampton 0-4 Brighton
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
Sunday 23rd February:
Newcastle 14:00 Nottingham Forest
Man City 16:30 Liverpool
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