Everton 2-2 Manchester United: Late screamers share the spoils on Merseyside

Manchester United fell short of securing all three points on Merseyside on Sunday. Everton pulled out two screamers in the final minutes to equalize twice against Michael Carrick's Reds in what could easily have been a second straight win. Instead, it's a third match in a row conceding two goals and more to ponder going forward about the defensive approach.

The Reds looked the better side for much of the contest. A first half of positive wing play did not produce many chances despite the exciting options up front. The best looks at goal came on a try for the spectacular by Bruno Fernandes and a ball across the box by Marcus Rashford.

Matheus Cunha was the one who got on the end of the ball from Rashford, but he sent the chance well over the target with his shot form the edge of the box.

United got on the scoresheet right after the restart though. After emerging from the dressing room at 0-0, Bryan Mbeumo got an opportunity to cut inside and fire past Jordan Pickford in the 46th minute. It was a low effort that beat the England No. 1 to his right side.

It appeared that the goal could spark a second-half flurry, but Everton settled in and began a long push for an equalizer. Senne Lammens was called to action a handful of times without the Blues finding a clear look at goal, and United's only real threat to double the lead came from another bit of Rashford magic. He skipped through the defense and somehow maintained the balance and poise to heel the ball to Cunha centrally, but James Tarkowski got a foot through the Brazilian's legs to poke the ball away before he could fire.

Everton's control of possession began to pin United back going into the final ten minutes. A clear instance of studs into Bruno Fernandes' ankle (which ripped his sock open to leave a visible mark) left the Reds defending with 10-men for a couple of minutes as well. Eventually the breakthrough came on a thunderous shot from Tyrick George. It was an effort neither Luke Shaw or Lammens seemed to expect, and fair enough because the angle was quite difficult. It didn't matter though, the power, pace, and placement of the hit was enough to beat the Belgian keeper at the near post and draw Everton level.

Carrick made most of his changes then. Benjamin Sesko and Patrick Dorgu had replaced Cunha and Rashford, and he sent on Andrey Santos and Leny Yoro after the equalizer. The Slovenian forward became one of the main characters of the final minutes, in both good and bad ways.

Shaw made up for his leniency defending George with a strong supporting run as United resumed the attack. Bruno found him on the overlap and he put a cross up in the air, hanging over the center of the box for Sesko to pounce and open his account for the season. He scored the winner on the road at Everton last year, and appeared set to do so again until late into stoppage time.

Everton got another screamer of an equalizer from Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the final seconds. What started as a corner led to some desperation around the edge of the box, and the winger popped up with space to fire a laser into the postage stamp corner of the goal. Sesko was the one policing the space at the edge of the box and didn't react in time to close the space afforded to the Evertonian.

The two goals conceded were rockets, but both were preventable. Fair enough for the beautiful strikes by Everton but United will feel they should have all three points. They'll need to reset with the start of the UEFA Champions League group phase on Thursday at Old Trafford, and then it's Derby Day next Sunday.