The controversial decision to overturn an Everton penalty in stoppage time overshadowed their battle with Manchester United, who scored twice in eight minutes to clinch a point at Goodison Park.
Man United were completely overwhelmed in the first half, falling down after only 19 minutes when Andre Onana was beaten by a fine finish from Beto, the Portuguese striker scoring his fifth goal in four Premier League games to continue his impressive recent record.
Everton stayed on the attack after breaking the deadlock, extending their advantage just 11 minutes in. Onana saved a Jack Harrison shot, but the rebound went to Abdoulaye Doucoure, who nodded the ball into what was essentially an open goal. Everton were entirely dominant until the half-time siren and for nearly 20 minutes after play began.
The Red Devils took more than 70 minutes to score, and it came with their first shot on goal of the game. Captain Bruno Fernandes struck a free kick into the bottom right corner of Everton’s goal. That ray of hope inspired Manchester United, with Manuel Ugarte equalising just eight minutes after Fernandes scored.
Everton was awarded a penalty late in the game for a foul on Ashley Young. Referee Andy Madley was summoned for an on-field review, and while it appeared that Matthijs de Ligt had pulled the experienced defender’s jersey, the decision was overturned, and the game ended even at 2-2.
NO PENALTY- DRAMA AT THE END!!!
Upon review, Everton do NOT have a late penalty against Man United! 😱 pic.twitter.com/HuCJVpf9NI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 22, 2025
2 shirt pulls? @premierleague #EVEMUN pic.twitter.com/klqGh8p4BJ
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) February 22, 2025
Soon after the game ended, the Premier League Match Centre stated that the match’s Video Assistant Referees determined there had been no foul against Young, prompting them to recommend an on-field review.
https://twitter.com/PLMatchCentre/status/1893311416011981076?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1893311416011981076%7Ctwgr%5Efd8c3ef1fe895d4bb23ef33768452378e03043a7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.givemesport.com%2Fhuge-controversy-as-everton-denied-late-penalty-vs-man-utd-after-var-review%2F
Moyes So Close to Victory
Scot still enjoying a strong vein of form with Toffees
Everton were in fine form heading into their match against Manchester United, having thrived since David Moyes returned to the club to replace the dismissed Sean Dyche. Since losing 1-0 to Aston Villa in his first game back, the Scot has led Everton to four wins and one draw in the Premier League, the latter a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Prior to the game, the Toffees were one point and one place ahead of Manchester United, who were 15th before Saturday’s midday fixture. Despite some initial signs of promise under new manager Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese will undoubtedly require a pre-season and investment before being able to fully execute his coaching theories.
Prior to the match, Moyes had won two of his last three meetings with the Red Devils, both of which came during his second spell as West Ham United manager. Moyes is a former Manchester United manager who was chosen by Sir Alex Ferguson to follow him before being fired after only 10 months in charge.
Moyes had faced Manchester United 15 times as manager of either West Ham or Sunderland before Saturday’s game, winning only three times, including the aforementioned pair of triumphs.
