Manchester United 1-1 Everton
As football games go, this was drama indeed.
Whichever way you look at it – and live betting was kept going until the very end – it was compelling.
Everton will be proud, yet devastated.
Man Utd will be relieved, yet frustrated.
The Toffees were just 30 seconds from victory, thanks to a dogged display from goalkeeper Joel Robles, defensive grit and discipline, midfield tenaciousness and swift counter-attacking.
Not to mention one of the unlikeliest of scorers, Phil Jagielka, with an overhead kick.
They then survived what the often wasteful hosts threw at them, including twice seeing the ball bounce back off the woodwork – through Daley Blind and Paul Pogba – and a Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal wrongly disallowed for offside.
However, United were not to be denied as substitute Luke Shaw’s goal-bound shot was handled by Ashley Williams with half a minute remaining.
Williams was dismissed, Zlatan kept his cool as Robles was finally beaten and United extended their unbeaten league run to 20 matches.
The post-match comments of manager Jose Mourinho were wide and varied and enough to fill an article in itself.
His honest views on the physical state of his players, the fixture list and the younger members of his squad will no doubt be quoted in the hours and days ahead.
Indeed, there was cautious praise for Shaw who should ‘have a future at the club’, less than 48 hours after the player asked for a clear-the-air meeting with his manager.
The meeting seemed to have worked as Shaw made a difference, offering a willing outlet and working hard once he arrived on the scene.
A ninth home draw of the season then for spirited yet sloppy United who remain a work in progress and are realistically not going to qualify for next season’s Champions League via the Premier League.
A fine result for Everton who are making undoubted progress under Ronald Koeman.
Two questions to leave you with, however.
- Why are United missing so many chances and failing to kill off opponents?
- Ronald Koeman chose to go with an inexperienced team for the Merseyside derby and bring back more established players for this game – what does that say?
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