Manchester United came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park, surviving a stoppage-time VAR controversy to remain 15th in the Premier League table. Everton, three places higher in 12th, thought they had a late opportunity to win it when referee Andy Madley awarded a penalty after Ashley Young went down in the area. However, after VAR recommended an on-field review, Madley reversed his decision and restarted play with a drop ball.
The Premier League Match Centre said VAR had reviewed Madley’s original decision over Harry Maguire’s challenge on Young and concluded that no foul had been committed. The reversal ensured the points were shared after a match that swung sharply from Everton’s commanding first half to United’s determined late recovery.
Everton made their early control count in the 19th minute. Abdoulaye Doucouré headed the ball into Beto’s path, and the striker sent a bouncing volley over André Onana to give the hosts the lead. Doucouré then doubled Everton’s advantage in the 33rd minute, arriving close to goal to head home and leave United with a significant deficit before half-time.
United improved markedly after the break. Bruno Fernandes gave the visitors a route back into the game in the 72nd minute, bending a free-kick beyond Jordan Pickford. The pressure continued, and Manuel Ugarte completed the comeback eight minutes later with a powerful volley—his first goal for Manchester United. Fernandes almost found a late winner as well, but Pickford tipped his long-range effort over the bar.
The defining moment arrived in stoppage time. Young went down as he contested a loose ball in the penalty area, with Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both involved in the challenge. Madley initially pointed to the spot, but VAR official Matt Donohue advised him to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. After watching the footage, Madley overturned the penalty award.
Everton manager David Moyes was unhappy with the intervention. He said Maguire had “undoubtedly” pulled Young’s shirt and questioned why the referee had been sent to the monitor when the original call had already been made. The Premier League’s explanation, however, was that VAR believed the available evidence showed no foul by Maguire.
Fernandes rejected the suggestion that United had been fortunate to escape a penalty, saying the referee had explained that an arm was close to the body. The United captain was more critical of his side’s opening performance, admitting they had started “too late” and had been “too static” to create enough attacking situations before the interval. He said United found greater freedom and movement after the break.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand offered a harsher assessment during the match, describing the visitors’ display as “embarrassing.” Yet United’s second-half response prevented a third successive Premier League defeat and secured a point from a fixture that had appeared to be slipping away.
Everton will regret letting a two-goal lead disappear and will remain frustrated by the reversed penalty decision. For United, the result underlined both the vulnerability of their first-half performance and the resilience of their recovery, with Fernandes and Ugarte delivering the goals that rescued a draw.
