Everton earned a hard-fought 2–2 draw against Manchester United in a lively and at times chaotic pre-season clash in Atlanta, as David Moyes’ side twice came from behind to frustrate Ruben Amorim’s side.
The visitors took an early lead in the Summer Series in a controversial fashion.
After a lively start from Everton, United were awarded a soft penalty when James Tarkowski was adjudged to have brought down Amad Diallo inside the area.
Replays showed there was minimal contact, but the decision stood and Bruno Fernandes calmly sent Jordan Pickford the wrong way from the spot in the 19th minute.
Far from folding after the setback, Everton responded positively. Vitalii Mykolenko, who had already impressed down the left, played a key role in the equaliser.
After winning back possession, Idrissa Gana Gueye swung a perfect ball to the back post, where Iliman Ndiaye arrived unmarked to smash home from close range and level the score at 1–1 on 41 minutes.
The goal sparked Everton into life, with Beto twice going close before the break and Jake O’Brien hitting the post from close range.
United, rattled by the intensity of the Toffees, were happy to hear the half-time whistle.
The second half began with United making changes, and they regained control after the restart.
Just before the hour mark, their quality told. Fernandes again found space in midfield and threaded a pass into Mason Mount, who curled a superb first-time effort around O’Brien and beyond Pickford to restore the lead for the visitors at 2–1.
Moyes responded with a flurry of substitutions, switching to a back five and introducing youngsters Thierno Barry and Youssef Chermiti, as well as academy prospect Ilyes Aznou. That gamble paid off.
In the 80th minute, a moment of madness handed Everton an unexpected equaliser.
After Fernandes lost possession in a tussle with Ndiaye, the Senegalese forward drove at the heart of United’s defence. As the ball was worked out wide, Amad’s attempted clearance cannoned off full-back Heaven and ricocheted into his own net, leaving goalkeeper Altay Bayindir helpless and the scoreline back at 2–2.
The closing stages were continuously frantic. Barry almost capitalised on a defensive lapse but was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Harry Maguire, while at the other end Fernandes fizzed a cross through the six-yard box that Michael Keane brilliantly cleared.
Bayindir also had to be alert to smother a loose ball as Everton pressed for a late winner, and Pickford made a crucial save from Dorgu in stoppage time.
The final whistle eventually blew to crown Manchester United the Summer Series Champions, but this was another reminder that Amorim still has work to do in knitting together a squad filled with big names.
Despite spells of control, defensive lapses and a lack of ruthlessness cost them a comfortable win.
