Ainsley Maitland-Niles marked his comeback to English football by netting a stunning stoppage-time equaliser as Everton came from behind twice to settle for a draw with Manchester United in the Premier League.
Maitland-Niles, who joined the Blues from Lyon on transfer deadline day, left Senne Lammens rooted to the spot when he curled an unstoppable effort into the net to deny the visitors a first away win of the season.
Michael Carrick’s team seemed set to seal all three points at Hill Dickinson Stadium for the second consecutive season after Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko scored either side of Tyrique George firing Everton level.
But Maitland-Niles’ first Premier League strike since December 2019 maintained Everton’s unbeaten start to the season at the end of a turbulent week.
Fresh from hitting Ipswich Town for five last weekend, United made a fast start and almost went ahead inside eight minutes when Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar following a knockdown from Mbeumo inside the area.
It was the 24th time United had hit the woodwork since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League side.
But that did little to dampen United’s mood as they, and Marcus Rashford in particular, continued to ask questions of the Everton defence.
Only days after selling the creative Iliman N’Diaye to Manchester City in a deal worth up to £65m, Everton showed little ingenuity or originality in the final third.
That was until two minutes before half-time when Thierno Barry, the club’s top scorer this season, headed over after a wonderful cross from makeshift full-back Merlin Rohl, and Jarrad Branthwaite forced a save from Lammens.
