Everton and Manchester United played to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on February 22, 2025, with both teams aiming to climb the Premier League standings.
The match marked a pivotal moment for both clubs, who entered the encounter on contrasting paths. Everton sought to build on their recent positive form, coming off a confidence-boosting 2-0 victory over Brentford. Meanwhile, Manchester United, still smarting from a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham, faced pressure as they languished near the bottom of the table.
Early on, the home side seized control, showcasing their physicality and direct style of play. It took just 19 minutes for Everton to break the deadlock, as Beto capitalized on defensive lapses during a corner, driving the ball home after miscommunication among the United defenders. Abdoulaye Doucouré, who played a pivotal role throughout the match, assisted with his head, confirming Everton's early dominance.
Just moments later, Doucouré doubled Everton's lead at the 32-minute mark. He scored with another header, this time following up on Jack Harrison’s powerful shot, which was parried by United's goalkeeper Andre Onana. The atmosphere at Goodison Park was electric, with the local supporters buoyant as their team dominated the first half.
Despite Everton's early advantage, Manchester United used the halftime break wisely, coming back with renewed vigor. They began to apply pressure on the Everton defense and, after multiple attempts, finally found the back of the net. Bruno Fernandes delivered from the free-kick just beyond the 70th minute, firing the ball past Jordan Pickford and reducing the deficit.
Member of the media remarked, “The set-piece was beautifully executed, catching Pickford off guard.” This goal sparked hope for United and shifted the momentum of the match.
Just seven minutes later, the visitors drew level. A well-crafted free-kick from Fernandes found Manuel Ugarte, who struck flawlessly to equalize. The previously lively crowd was silenced as the dynamics of the game shifted dramatically. “We showed resilience to come back, but we need to be more consistent,” stated Doucouré after the match, capturing the ambivalence of Everton's situation.
With the score now level, both teams pushed for the winning goal. Everton thought they’d sealed the match for victory when Harry Maguire was adjudged to have fouled Beto inside the box during stoppage time. The referee, Andrew Madley, pointed to the spot, but after reviewing the VAR footage, he overturned his decision, great relief for Manchester United, who had battled back from two goals down.
United manager Rúben Amorim reflected on the late call, stating, “The VAR decision changed the game at the end for us.” Though the match ended as a draw, the realities of both teams’ tightened positions were palpable, with Everton now at 31 points and Manchester United at 30, hovering just above the relegation zone.
The results serve as breather for both teams; Everton remains 14th, showing improvement since David Moyes took the helm again. Meanwhile, Manchester United, now 15th, continues to struggle with inconsistency. The draw did not meet the desperate needs of the Red Devils, who face substantial pressure to reclaim their status as one of England's top clubs.
Reflecting on their next steps, the clubs are aware of the mounting pressure to succeed. With upcoming fixtures only promising to get tougher, both teams need to shore up their performances if they wish to steer clear of the relegation zone and challenge for upper mid-table security.