Maitland-Niles screamer on debut rescues draw for Everton against Manchester United
By Luke Oluoch, September 6, 2026Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s stunning 95th-minute equaliser proved sufficient for Everton to snatch a point at home against visiting Man United in a 2-2 Premier League clash played on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
The dramatic encounter at Hill Dickinson Stadium saw United within three minutes of a famous comeback win after Benjamin Sesko scored an 87th-minute goal to restore United’s lead, moments after Everton had grabbed the equaliser.
Man United took a second-half lead from Bryan Mbeumo before Tyrique George restored parity in the 82nd minute of the game with a rifled shot to the roof of the net.
Bruno’s attempt
The clash got off to a slow start with an injury concern for Maguire before Bruno Fernandes almost grabbed the opener inside eight minutes after his volley from inside the box came off Jordan Pickford’s crossbar.
The half saw both sides battle in midfield contests with both sets of wingers trying to beat the full-backs in a lively opening-half duel. After Thierno Barry saw a header from a right-wing cross whistle over the bar, Everton finished the half stronger with Tyrique George and Jarrad Branthwaite troubling the rear guard, but with no real threat to break through.
The half ended with Branthwaite denying United a double chance, first with a perfectly timed tackle to thwart Rashford before heading away a subsequent follow-up on goal.
United hit the front from Mbeumo’s individual solo strike, the Cameroonian drifting past bodies before picking his curling shot past Pickford for the opener.
The tie shifted as Everton introduced summer arrival Hayden Hackney with 15 minutes left. The young English ace was quick to be in the thick of things, helping the Toffees’ forays as the hosts grew into the match.
His telling contribution came as he picked out Tyrique George for the leveller with eight minutes left to play—a surging run before pouncing on a loose ball to put the former Chelsea academy star through on goal.
Late drama
There was still time for last-minute drama, with Man United restoring their lead in the 87th minute. Substitute Benjamin Sesko rose high to nod home from a Luke Shaw delivery to put Michael Carrick’s charges back in front, within inches of consecutive wins.
The tie seemed done and dusted, but it took former Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles’s superb strike from outside the box to snatch the game right from United’s grasp.
The former AS Roma defender picked his spot with a sublime curler that nestled in the side of Lammens’s goal to seal a dramatic end to the encounter.
The win saw Everton remain unbeaten in the league after three games as United failed to extend their success from a previous huge win over Ipswich Town.