Much was made of Everton’s transfer deadline day business and their recruitment in general this summer. The squad is low on numbers, and they went into Sunday’s home game against Manchester United with only one forward in the shape of Thierno Barry.
Everton show fighting spirit once again
However, for a second straight weekend, David Moyes team scored a stoppage-time equaliser to level the score at 2-2. Having played the minimum of five extra minutes, substitute and debutant Ainsley Maitland-Niles placed a 25-yard effort into the top corner of Senne Lammens’ goal.
The strike sent the crowd delirious and was the perfect antidote to the anger and frustration that everybody associated with Everton had experienced since their disastrous deadline day.
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In David Moyes’ first step as Toffees boss, the team were renowned for their never-say-die attitude. That spirit has also shown up in numerous games since Moyes’ return, where the Merseyside outfit has scored stoppage-time goals to earn results, including last weekend when James Tarkowski earned them a point at Bournemouth.
A club and team that thrive in adversity
Through years of struggle against relegation and financial strife, Everton have shown they thrive in adversity. Even if the football is not easy on the eye, they can grind out results when needed.
There may also be no better manager than David Moyes for the current situation than the experienced Scot. The Toffees have just 18 fit senior outfield players.
However, Moyes has shown in the past that he isn’t a manager who needs the biggest squad or the best resources.
They won’t always be able to score stoppage-time goals, but they will very rarely be easily beaten.
Manchester United will be kicking themselves
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The Red Devils led twice through goals by Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, with the latter coming on 88 minutes. However, Michael Carrick’s team couldn’t hold on to the narrow lead.
Defensive issues persist, as they have now conceded two goals in each of their opening three Premier League games of the season. Carrick and his team will need to right that if they are to challenge at the top end of the English top flight this season.