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# Everton 2–2 Man Utd: Maitland-Niles’ Debut Stunner Denies United Victory

Published: Sep 07. 2026
Reading Time: 4 mins

Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Ainsley Maitland-Niles rescued Everton with a spectacular 96th-minute equaliser on his debut as Manchester United twice surrendered the lead in a 2–2 Premier League draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, 6 September. Maitland-Niles’ finish denied the Man United their first away league victory of the season and rewarded Everton’s persistence in a dramatic second half. 

Everton are still unbeaten after three league matches, with five points, while United have collected four points from three matches.

## **Mbeumo Breaks the Deadlock After First-Half Chances**

United had opportunities to take control before the interval. Bruno Fernandes struck the crossbar with an eighth-minute volley following Bryan Mbeumo’s headed lay-off, while Matheus Cunha sent another promising chance off target. Everton also threatened, but Thierno Barry headed over from Merlin Röhl’s delivery shortly before half-time. 

Mbeumo scored after 61 seconds after the second half started. He moved in from the right and placed a left-footed shot into the far bottom corner, giving United the advantage after a first half which ended 0-0. For Everton, the challenge was to turn their own promising situations into a response. Jack Grealish’s introduction in the 66th minute helped improve their attacking cohesion as the hosts worked their way back into the contest. 

## **Three Late Goals Transform the Contest**

Everton drew level in the 83rd minute when Hayden Hackney found Tyrique George in space on the right of the penalty area. George drove a powerful effort past Senne Lammens at his near post, setting up a final spell in which both teams would score again. 

United responded five minutes later. Luke Shaw delivered a cross from the left, and substitute Benjamin Šeško headed beyond Jordan Pickford to restore the visitors’ lead just two minutes before the end of normal time. 

Yet Everton still found another answer. A short clearance from Noussair Mazraoui fell to Maitland-Niles, who converted a shot into the top corner. 

## **Maitland-Niles Marks His Arrival With a Milestone**

According to Opta, Maitland-Niles became the first player to score on his **Premier League debut for Everton** since Richarlison against Wolves in August 2018. His equaliser, recorded at 95 minutes and 11 seconds, was also Everton’s latest Premier League goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium. 

The finish was particularly notable given his scoring record. It was only his second goal in 110 Premier League appearances and his first in the competition since scoring for Arsenal against Liverpool in December 2018. 

Beyond the individual achievement, Everton’s attacking numbers offered support for their eventual reward. They finished with 18 attempts to United’s 14 and registered six shots on target compared with the visitors’ three, despite having less possession. 

Those figures also reveal the distinction between creating opportunities and taking them. Barry recorded the highest individual expected-goals total in the match but failed to put an effort on target. With Everton left with only one specialist senior striker, the contributions from George and Maitland-Niles were especially important. 

## **United’s Defensive Consistency Remains a Concern**

For United, the result extended an uncomfortable early-season pattern: they have conceded twice in each of their opening three league matches. Opta notes that this is only the second time in the past 50 years they have started a league campaign by allowing at least two goals in all three opening fixtures, after 2020/21. 

The quality of Everton’s equalisers should not be overlooked, but neither should United’s inability to protect two separate advantages. Mbeumo and Šeško supplied the finishes needed to put the visitors in winning positions; the defensive security required to preserve those leads was missing. 

For Everton, the comeback offers encouragement without settling the wider questions over squad depth. Goals from different areas of the team proved decisive here, but maintaining that support for their centre-forward remains an important task as the season develops.