Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a dream stoppage-time equaliser on his Everton debut to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester United and lift the mood at the end of a difficult week.
Deadline day ended in disappointment for fans of both clubs but the Toffees’ inaction was particularly concerning given Tuesday’s botched business left them with a threadbare squad and an unhappy manager.
David Moyes admitted he had “to live with disappointments” and called for Everton players to “muck in”, but Sunday looked set to end in further frustration after substitute Benjamin Sesko’s 88th-minute header put United on course for a late victory.
Tyrique George’s thunderous strike had cancelled out a fine Bryan Mbeumo effort moments earlier but the Slovenia international would not prove United’s match-winning substitute for the second time at Hill Dickinson Stadium this year.
Instead, deadline-day acquisition Maitland-Niles came off the bench to rifle home from distance to snatch a dramatic late point and spark bedlam.