Maitland-Niles' Injury-Time Beauty Seals Dramatic Point For Everton

Ainsley Maitland-Niles enjoyed a dream debut as his stunning 96th-minute leveller extended Everton's unbeaten start to the season with a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In a performance typical of a spirited David Moyes Blues team, the hosts twice fought back with late goals – Tyrique George blasting home on 83 minutes before Maitland-Niles sent home fans wild just five days after joining the Club, firing a 25-yard beauty with seconds left on the clock for a hard-earned point.

The late, late drama came after Bryan Mbeumo's opener seconds after the interval, while Benjamin Sesko looked to have hit a United winner at Hill Dickinson for the second season on the trot with an 87th-minute header, moments after George's maiden Premier League goal for the Blues.

Maitland-Niles had the final say, however, to hand Everton their fifth point of the league campaign following an opening-day win over Crystal Palace and 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.

Brennan Johnson was given his first Premier League start for the Blues, with Merlin Röhl retaining his place at right-back, while deadline-day arrivals Jack Grealish and Maitland-Niles were among the substitutes.

It was a threatening United who were the first to go close on eight minutes, Mbuemo heading down Luke Shaw’s left-wing cross for Bruno Fernandes to smack a volley onto the crossbar.

Everton were quick to respond when Tyrique George’s deflected cross caused confusion in the United defence and Barry went down in the area competing for the ball with Lisandro Martinez – but referee John Brooks correctly waved play on.

The visitors continued to look a danger going forward although the Toffees went close to breaking the deadlock just before half-time as Röhl’s peach of a whipped cross from the right was headed over the bar by Barry eight yards out.

United broke the deadlock seconds after the restart, Mbeumo being allowed to drift in from the right touchline and bend a low finish into the left-hand corner.

It was a tough blow so soon after the break but David Moyes’ men responded as the hour mark approached, Johnson receiving a pass from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to squeeze in a shot from the edge of the box that was deflected behind by Martinez.

And seconds later, the excellent George created an opening for Barry to dance around Martinez and have his goalbound finish blocked by the lunging Shaw, before Dewsbury-Hall put the follow-up straight at Senne Lammens.

With Everton looking to get back into the contest, Grealish returned in royal blue on 65 minutes, replacing Johnson as George switched to the right flank – before Maitland-Niles was given his Blues bow 10 minutes later.

Grealish injected fresh impetus into the Blues' attack – but it was the youngster who he said he's keen to mentor who smashed the hosts level seven minutes from time.

Substitute Hayden Hackney slid a pass along the right side of the area to the summer signing from Chelsea. There was still plenty to do but George sent Hill Dickinson wild by blasting an unstoppable finish into the top right-hand corner.

It didn't look enough, though, as Sesko appeared to be the match-winner in this fixture for the second straight season, getting on the end of Shaw's cross to head past Pickford from six yards out.

Everton never say die under Moyes, however. And for the second weekend on the trot, an injury-time leveller came when Maitland-Niles collected a clearance 25 yards out and hit a beauty of a first-time finish into the top left-hand corner to send Evertonians wild.