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Dominic Calvert-Lewin popped up with a goal in the 95th minute as Everton came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
After a fairly even start to the game, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 24th minute courtesy of Edinson Cavani, who headed home Marcus Rashford’s delicious cross at the back post.
And, having taken the lead, Manchester United seemed to step up a gear and doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time through Bruno Fernandes, who curled an exquisite right-footed shot over the keeper into the top corner from outside the box.
However, the visitors hit back almost instantly in the second half, getting back on level terms within seven minutes of the restart with quickfire goals from Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez as the United defence failed to hold on.
The home side pulled ahead once again in the 70th minute through Scott McTominay and looked to have secured the three points only for Calvert-Lewin to prod home a late equaliser to earn his side a share of the spoils.
The result sees Carlo Ancelotti’s men move up to sixth in the table, three points off fourth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand over their Merseyside rivals, while a frustrated Manchester United stay second in the table.
On that note, here are the five major talking points from a pulsating draw between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford.
#1 A battle of the Premier League’s in-form left-backs
While both Manchester United and Everton took to the field with an array of attacking stars in their ranks, both sides had an extremely potent attacking threat in the form of their respective left-backs.
United’s Luke Shaw and Everton’s Lucas Digne have both made significant contributions for their teams this season, rivaling each other in terms of chances created and assists registered in the campaign.
And, with Digne linking up with Richarlison on Everton’s left flank and Shaw doing likewise with Rashford, a lot of the attacking play from both sides came down the left flank.
Both Shaw and Digne were to prove their worth in this game, with the Englishman claiming the assist for Manchester United’s third goal while the Frenchman’s probing delivery led to Everton’s late equaliser.
#2 Edinson Cavani is showcasing his true class at Manchester United
More than a few eyebrows were raised when Manchester United announced the signing of Edinson Cavani on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer.
Questions were raised about the veteran striker’s match fitness and his ability to do the job at the highest level.
However, having taken some time to get used to the English game, Cavani has proven to be an extremely shrewd acquisition for the Red Devils. He has arguably played himself into the role of the first-choice striker at the club.
Everton is the club that would be particularly sick of the sight of the Uruguayan, with Cavani having scored against the Toffees on each of the three occasions he has faced them this season.
With six goals (and counting) in the league at this stage, not only has Cavani put to bed questions regarding his own fitness and ability, but he has also brought a wealth of experience with him to United.
It has also elevated the game of his fellow attackers at the club.
As such, despite turning 34 this month, Cavani has proven that he still has a lot to offer Manchester United and the game of football in general. He is, in fact, setting the standards for youngsters such as Rashford, Greenwood, and Martial to follow.
#3 Everton are struggling for consistency in the Premier League
Everton have had a series of ups and downs throughout this season, having briefly topped the Premier League table after an impressive start before seeing their form tail off in subsequent fixtures.
Injuries to key personnel throughout the season have not helped their cause, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men making it a frustrating habit of interspersing a positive run of results with unexpectedly poor performances.
Everton’s inconsistencies were reflected in their last five league fixtures, in which they racked up two wins, two defeats, and a draw, leaving them seventh in the league going into this encounter with their form impossible to pin down.
However, with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin rediscovering his goal-scoring form and the likes of James Rodriguez and Gylfi Sigurdsson clicking into gear, along with a few favourable results involving teams around them in the standings, the signs are positive for Everton to make a push for a place in the top six and secure European football for next season.
#4 Manchester United’s shaky defence under the spotlight once again
While most of the recent headlines surrounding Manchester United have been related to their goalscoring exploits, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men would do well not to lose sight of the fact that their defence has looked particularly shaky all season.
Having looked extremely comfortable in the first half, United’s defensive shortcomings were well and truly exposed in the second as Everton scored twice in under four minutes to claw back United’s two-goal lead.
In fact, United looked to still be reeling from conceding the first goal, which was a result of a weak parry into the danger area from David de Gea, which led to them conceding the second, with a lack of concentration and focus evident across the backline.
And, with time running out, it was United’s suspect defence that allowed Everton to snatch the equaliser at the death.
A clumsy foul by late substitute Axel Tuanzebe gave away a free-kick that was not dealt with by United’s defenders, allowing Calvert-Lewin to poke the ball home from close range.
As such, while it has been United’s policy this season to outscore opponents rather than to shut them out, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of defensive organisation if they are to be considered as serious title contenders in this season and the ones to come.
#5 What impact could Pogba’s injury have on Manchester United’s season?
One of the reasons for United’s impressive Premier League campaign this season has been the fact that they have been able to avoid any major injury concerns even as several of their closest rivals have been hampered by injuries and COVID-19-related setbacks.
As a result, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been able to choose from his full set of resources while picking his matchday squad, allowing United to establish a level of consistency and familiarity within the team.
One of the stars of United’s season has been Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has put in a series of eye-catching performances from midfield, contributing with important goals, assists, and even tackles in defence.
And so, the United faithful would have been extremely concerned when Pogba was forced to limp off in the first half of this fixture holding his right thigh and grimacing in pain.
Not only did Pogba’s absence arguably shift the dynamic of the game, but it could also have an impact on the rest of United’s season if the Frenchman is forced to endure an extended spell on the sidelines nursing his injury.
