VAR and Bruno Fernandes rescue Man Utd from Everton humiliation - 5 talking points
EVERTON 2-2 MANCHESTER UNITED: Late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte rescued Ruben Amorim's side from a humiliating defeat at Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorBruno Fernandes rescued Manchester United from defeat at Everton to earn a reprieve for Ruben Amorim.
First-half goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure looked to have secured all three points for the Toffees. It would have been a third successive Premier League loss for the visitors, who remain in serious trouble of being sucked into the relegation battle.
But captain Fernandes sparked a remarkable comeback for United when he netted a brilliant free-kick with 19 minutes to go. It was United's first shot on traget of the game and he delivered again moments later to claim a point.
From his free-kick, Manuel Ugarte chested down the loose ball and volleyed past Jordan Pickford from the edge of the box. United were forced to rely on an awful decision from Andy Madley to overturn a penalty he had awarded to Everton to keep hold of the point. Here, Mirror Football looks at the biggest talking points from a thrilling game.
Amorim's reprieve
The pressure was piling on Ruben Amorim with his side two goals down with 20 minutes to go. At that point, they were just 12 points and three places outside the drop zone, and staring down the face of three successive Premier League defeats.
But the final 20 minutes were a remarkable turnaround for United and earned a reprieve for a beleagured Amorim. His side displayed the passion and desire that were missing for the rest of the game up to Fernandes' opening goal.
United turned up a gear following that strike and though they were only left with a point, it is something for their under pressure boss to build on.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was man of the match in Manchester United's clash with Everton? Comment below.
Red-hot Beto
Beto has been a key figure in Everton's resurgence under David Moyes. The 27-year-old would be comfortably described as a flop before the Scottish boss returned to Goodison Park.
But he has been a symbol of the Toffees' transformation, with his opening goal his fifth strike in his last four games. Before that, Beto had notched just four in his previous 44 outings for Everton.
He showed a deadly instinct to fire in the opening goal, reacting quickest to a bouncing ball, aiming it into the ground to ensure his shot would beat Andre Onana. He then showed remarkable judgement to square the ball to Jack Harrison in the build-up to Everton's second.
Man Utd weakness exposed
To say Manchester United's defending was dreadful does a disservice to just how poor they were at the back against Everton. Let alone the goals they conceded, there were multiple examples of two United defenders going up to head the same ball.
Turning to the goals, United had five chances to clear from a corner and failed to do so. Matthijs de Ligt was too slow to get up with the defensive line, which allowed Beto to fire in.
It was his centre-back partner Harry Maguire who were hanging his head in shame for the second. Maguire just stood around looking up at the ball after Andre Onana saved from Jack Harrison, with Abdoulaye Doucoure leaping in to head home.
The Moyesiah proves his point
David Moyes was dumped by West Ham at the end of last season with Hammers chiefs believing he had taken the club as far as he could. The Scot bounced back by joining Everton in January and the effect he has had on the strugglers has been remarkable.
When he took over, the Toffees were six points behind Manchester United in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone. Despite throwing away a win Following Saturday's win they’re a point above Ruben Amorim's side, 14 points clear of 18th place.
Moyes clearly still has what it takes to run a successful top-flight side.
Inspirational Fernandes
United were dreadful for the vast majority of Saturday's game. But Bruno Fernandes turned things on its head with an inspiration performance.
The Portugal star netted a brilliant free-kick right in the bottom corner after Doucoure blocked his first set-piece with his arm. It was United's first shot on target all game, a sign of how awful the visitors were.
He then delivered the free-kick from which Ugarte eventually equalised. Without Fernandes, there is no chance United would have claimed a point.
VAR rescues United
United were left relying on a confusing decision from Andy Madley to keep hold of their point. The referee pointed to the spot after Ashley Young was brought down by Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire.
It looked to have been a good decision, but VAR directed Madley to review his decision. Madley went to the screen and overturned it, to the anger of the home crowd and the confusion of neutrals watching on. It was a dreadful move from the match officials.
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