Temi Kings
Ainsley Maitland-Niles etched his name into Everton folklore on his debut, striking a thunderous 30-yard equalizer deep into stoppage time to deny Manchester United victory in an extraordinary 2-2 thriller at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Following a cagey, goalless first period that saw Bruno Fernandes rattle the crossbar and Thierno Barry head just high, the match exploded into life straight after the break. Just 60 seconds into the second half, Kobbie Mainoo released Bryan Mbeumo down the right wing, allowing the Cameroon winger to cut inside and curl a exquisite left-footed strike into the far corner past Jordan Pickford to put United ahead.
Everton pushed forward in search of an answer, making tactical changes that bore fruit in the 82nd minute when Hayden Hackney fed Tyrique George on the edge of the area, where the winger smashed a powerful effort straight into the top corner. United thought they had sealed all three points six minutes later when Luke Shaw swung a pinpoint cross onto the head of substitute Benjamin Šeško, who guided his header home in the 87th minute to restore the visitors' advantage.
However, the definitive drama was saved for the sixth minute of added time. A desperate clearance from United defender Noussair Mazraoui fell straight to Maitland-Niles 30 yards from goal. The former Arsenal man caught the ball cleanly on the half-volley, striking a swerving, unstoppable shot into the top corner past Senne Lammens to send the home crowd into wild celebrations and preserve Everton's unbeaten opening to the Premier League campaign.