Man Utd avoid defeat with Everton draw
LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP) – Bruno Fernandes inspired a Manchester United rally from two goals down to avoid another damaging defeat for Ruben Amorim in a 2-2 draw at Everton on Saturday.
United were headed for a ninth defeat in their last 13 league games as goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure put the Toffees 2-0 up inside 33 minutes.
The visitors had not mustered a shot on target until Fernandes’ free-kick pulled a goal back 18 minutes from time before Manuel Ugarte’s equaliser salvaged a point for United.
More late drama was to come as Everton were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, only for referee Andy Madley to overturn his decision after a VAR review.
A point edges Everton up to 12th, while United remain in 15th.
Everton were in a battle for survival when David Moyes returned for his second spell in charge last month, but they have taken 14 points from a possible 18 in their last six games to ensure their 71-year stay in the top flight will not come to an end.
Amorim conceded before the game that Moyes, who himself was sacked after less than a season in charge of United in 2014, was doing a better job than he has managed since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in November.
When the sides last met in Amorim’s first home league game, United cruised to a 4-0 win at Old Trafford, but he has managed just three victories in 13 Premier League games since.
Everton have just five more matches to come at Goodison Park before they move to a new 53,000-capacity stadium next season.
The home fans and team are determined to make the most of what is left at the club’s home since 1892 and put a United side lacking in confidence under pressure from the off.
