Football has a wonderful habit of writing scripts nobody could predict, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles just authored one of the season’s finest chapters. The defender, freshly arrived from Lyon on deadline day, produced a moment of pure magic deep into added time to salvage a point for Everton against Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Manchester United arrived full of confidence following their five goal demolition of Ipswich and nearly took the lead early when Bruno Fernandes rattled the crossbar, extending a peculiar streak that now sees them hit the frame of goal 24 times since last season, a Premier League high.
Despite decent chances through Thierno Barry and Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton lacked sharpness going forward, something noticeable after parting ways with Iliman N’Diaye earlier in the week. Bryan Mbeumo punished any hesitation, curling home barely a minute into the second period to give the visitors the lead.
Substitutes changed everything. David Moyes turned to Jack Grealish and Hayden Hackney, and the gamble paid dividends when Hackney’s assist allowed Tyrique George to level things around the 83rd minute mark.
United thought they had done enough when Benjamin Sesko headed in Luke Shaw’s delivery, marking his second goal in as many trips to Goodison territory.
Yet nobody accounted for Maitland-Niles. With barely seconds remaining, he bent a gorgeous strike beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens, his first top flight goal since December 2019, sparking wild celebrations among home supporters.
The result keeps Everton’s unbeaten record intact and adds another unpredictable twist to what continues to be an eventful campaign on Merseyside.
