Everton 1-1 Manchester United: 5 players who impressed at Goodison Park | Premier League 2019-20

Everton FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Everton FC v Manchester United - Premier League

Everton and Manchester United played out a captivating 1-1 draw at Goodison Park, with first-half goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Bruno Fernandes settling the keenly contested fixture.

The visitors came into the game in confident mood after comfortably dispatching Club Brugge in midweek but got off to a horrific start in Merseyside, with goalkeeper David de Gea committing an inexplicable error.

The 29-year-old received an innocuous backpass from Harry Maguire in the second minute and had enough time and space to make his next move but rather shockingly, he dilly-dallied and allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin close down and deflect his clearance into the back of the net.

It was the Spanish international's 7th error leading to a goal since last season and nobody has managed more in that time (joint with Jordan Pickford).

United soon got their leveller when Bruno Fernades scored his third goal for the Red Devils, smashing home from 30 yards to continue his good start to life in England.

The second half was much of the same, with both sides giving as good as they got and in what was a frantic end to the game, Everton had Jordan Pickford to thank for double saves from Fernandes and Odion Ighalo right at the death, while a Calvert-Lewin injury-time winner was also ruled out by VAR for a controversial offside decision.

Several players stood out in this fixture and here, we shall be highlighting five players who impressed in the game.


#5 Leighton Baines

Leighton Baines kept Wan-Bissake quiet
Leighton Baines kept Wan-Bissake quiet

The 35-year-old gave a performance that belied his age and kept Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the backfoot for most of the match.

Leighton Baines combined well with Richarlison going forward and played a major role in the attacking dominance enjoyed by the Toffees in the second half, while his deliveries from set-pieces also caused havoc for the United defence.

He also weighed in with key defensive contributions and made two successful tackles and interceptions to help his side to a valuable point and made a game-high three key passes going forward.

#4 Harry Maguire

Chelsea FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Manchester United - Premier League

While many might still scoff at the world record fee Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire last summer, it cannot be denied that the 26-year-old has been improving in recent weeks. He has been the lynchpin of the defence that has conceded just two goals in the last eight matches in all competitions and once again, the England international was composed and impressive in his performance at the back.

After the initial gaffe from De Gea that saw Manchester United go behind, Maguire rose to the occasion and successfully marshalled the backline, covering up for the underperforming Victor Lindelof alongside him.

The former Leicester City man was assured in his defending particularly in the second half as Everton upped the ante, with his smart positioning playing a key role in ensuring that the Red Devils did not concede another goal in the face of increased pressure.

In what was a skipper's display, Maguire made two interceptions and a game-high 15 clearances, while also posing a threat when attacking setpieces, and with each passing week, he has begun to prove his worth to the United cause.


#3 Nemanja Matic

Chelsea FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Chelsea FC v Manchester United - Premier League

After a series of underwhelming performances, many opined that Nemanja Matic's time at the top was over and fans of Manchester United were eager to see him sold.

However, the former Chelsea man has ridden the storm and has been much improved in recent weeks, showing flashes of what made him one of the best holding midfielders in the world some years ago.

He was started at the base of midfield against Everton and he played his role as the instigator of Manchester United's attacking impetus, setting Bruno Fernandez up for the equalizer, while he was also excellent in his holding job, with three tackles and four interceptions contributed on the day.

#2 Bruno Fernandes

Everton FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Everton FC v Manchester United - Premier League

Since completing his protracted transfer from Sporting Lisbon, Bruno Fernandes can seemingly do no wrong and he was once again impressive in his performance at Goodison Park.

The 25-year-old got his first goal in United colours from open play, converting from 30 yards out in the 31st minute and even though Jordan Pickford should have done better, it takes nothing away from the beauty of the strike.

A key component of his game is shots from outside the area and he peppered the Everton goal on several occasions, with three of his six shots hitting the target, while he also completed two dribbles, five tackles, and two clearances in what was a complete performance. He, however, missed a glaring chance in the 89th minute when he shot straight at Pickford when played through.


#1 Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton FC v Manchester United - Premier League
Everton FC v Manchester United - Premier League

Everton have seen an upturn in fortune since the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti and there has been no player in the squad who has benefitted from the Italian's appointment more than Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The 22-year-old was far from a potent goalscorer earlier in his career, evidenced by his record of 24 goals from 104 Premier League matches.

This season has, however, seen the former Sheffield United man up the ante and he has scored 13 goals this term, with eight of those coming in 10 matches under Carlo Ancelotti, while he also has one assist to boot in this time.

He showed great impetus and determination to close De Gea down as early as the second minute and was a constant thorn in the flesh of the United defence, with his enthusiasm and drive keeping them on their toes throughout.

Calvert-Lewin had four shots, with three of those on target and was controversially denied a brace in injury time when Sigurdsson was adjudged to have been offside and interfering with the United keeper.

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