Fernandes Leads Thrilling Man Utd Revival for 2-2 Everton Draw

Mar, 3 2025

United's Dramatic Recover at Goodison

In what turned out to be a gripping match, Manchester United managed to claw back from a two-goal disadvantage to earn a point against Everton on a cool evening at Goodison Park. The drama unfolded with Everton initially capitalizing on Manchester United's defensive blunders, putting two goals past them in the first half. Beto's strike followed by Abdoulaye Doucoure's header appeared to set Everton on a course for victory.

However, it was Bruno Fernandes who reignited United's hopes. In the 72nd minute, a beautifully taken free-kick from Fernandes saw the ball curl past Everton's keeper, sparking a resurgence among the United ranks. Not long after, Manuel Ugarte found the back of the net in the dying embers of the game, marking his first goal for Man Utd and leveling the score. The fans erupted as Ugarte's goal symbolized a spirited fightback that seemed unlikely after a lackluster first half.

VAR Drama and Manager Reactions

The drama didn't end there. As stoppage time approached, a penalty was initially awarded to Everton, stirring anxiety among the United supporters. However, VAR intervened, leading to referee Andy Madley overturning his original decision, much to the relief of the visiting team.

After the match, United's manager Ruben Amorim didn't hold back in his criticism of the team's early performance, labeling their first-half efforts as "soft" and highlighting the lack of intensity. He acknowledged the need for the team to consistently show more aggression and determination to improve their current standing in the league, where they find themselves hovering in 15th place.

On the opposite bench, former United manager David Moyes, now steering Everton, expressed satisfaction with his team’s ongoing recovery. Everton, now 12th in the standings, have shown a commendable climb with 14 points from their last six outings. Their improved form has been noted among fans and pundits alike, as Moyes seems to have instilled resilience and grit into his squad.

Bruno Fernandes, reflecting on the match, emphasized the urgency for United to 'demand more' from themselves, especially if they aim to ascend the league table. As the season progresses, United's ability to maintain this newly found fighting spirit could be crucial in altering their current trajectory.