A dramatic night at Goodison Park ended in frustration for Everton as a late VAR intervention denied them a stoppage-time penalty, allowing Manchester United to escape with a 2-2 comeback draw.
Ashley Young appeared to be fouled in the dying moments, going down in the box under pressure from Harry Maguire, and referee Andy Madley initially pointed to the spot.
But after a lengthy VAR review and a visit to the pitchside monitor, the decision was controversially overturned — sparking outrage among Everton fans and players alike.
The match had already been a rollercoaster of emotions. Everton took control early on, exploiting Manchester United’s defensive frailties.
Beto opened the scoring with a clinical finish after capitalizing on a defensive mix-up, and Abdoulaye Doucoure doubled the lead with a powerful strike following more slack defending from the Red Devils.
United, struggling to find their rhythm, looked destined for their 13th Premier League defeat of the season. With only four league wins since Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November, the pressure on the Portuguese manager continued to mount.
The Everton faithful, sensing their team’s dominance, chanted “Going down, going down, going down” as United stumbled toward another disappointing result.
But the visitors found a lifeline in the second half. Bruno Fernandes pulled one back in the 72nd minute with a perfectly executed free-kick that left Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford rooted to the spot.
Just eight minutes later, Fernandes’ set-piece delivery was poorly cleared, falling to Manuel Ugarte at the edge of the box. The Uruguayan midfielder controlled the ball on his chest and unleashed a thunderous volley into the net, leveling the score in spectacular fashion.
As the match entered stoppage time, the tension reached its peak. Everton pushed forward desperately in search of a winner, and when Young went down under Maguire’s challenge, it seemed their persistence had paid off. But the VAR decision to overturn the penalty left the home side feeling robbed and denied them a crucial opportunity to claim all three points.
The result leaves Everton still battling near the relegation zone, while United’s inconsistent form continues to raise questions about their top-four ambitions. As both teams reflect on a night full of drama and controversy, the fallout from this thrilling encounter is sure to continue.
