**Everton’s unbeaten start to the season continued against Manchester United.**
The visitors took the lead just a minute into the second half courtesy of Bryan Mbeumo’s bouncing effort past Jordan Pickford into the North Stand’s net.
Tyrique George drew the Blues level in the final 10 minutes of the match with a sublime strike into the top righthand corner from inside the area.
The Red Devils struck back through Benjamin Sesko’s header which saw Pickford beaten for a second time to break their hosts’ three-game streak.
But a dramatic late equaliser from new signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from long-range in the 94th minute on his debut to salvage a point for the hosts.
David Moyes’ side moved up to eighth in the Premier League table after picking up five points from their opening three games of the campaign.
_Here were the key talking points from Hill Dickinson Stadium:_
It’s Blues vs the world again
-----------------------------
Not for the first time in recent history, it’s Everton against the world again.
A calamitous end to the transfer window and a seeming disregard by owners The Friedkin Group leaves David Moyes’ side firmly with its back to the wall.
The Scot and Evertonians alike have been badly let down but both often thrived during such periods of peril and successfully rallied to defy the odds.
Moyes’ programme notes sent a clear message to fans about ‘the importance of us all pulling together’ to get his now paper-thin squad through to January.
These threaten to be trying times for the Blues’ manager, whose only option is to find creative solutions to a dearth of current options within his rank and file.
That included persisting with Merlin Rohl at right-back on account of soon-to-be hero Ainsley Maitland-Niles still needing to get up to full match levels.
It was not without its pitfalls, with the Germany under-21 international given a rigorous test by Manchester United’s well-heeled attacking line throughout.
But the collective unity between the stands and the pitch is clearly still strong, even after those in the corridors of power threatened to fracture it irreparably.
…but still early warning signs
------------------------------
Everton’s on-field resilience after a bruising week dominated by off-field turmoil was encouraging but still managed to set alarm bells ringing.
United’s relentless approach from the outset proved overwhelming and reminiscent of Manchester City’s display in last season’s six-goal thriller.
Moyes’ players struggled to cope with the visitors’ intensity and often guilty of sloppy mistakes for which they were lucky to avoid additional punishment.
Both goals stemmed from lapses, with Bryan Mbeumo given the freedom to dribble and pick his shot before Benjamin Sesko scored with a routine header.
They were also caught napping at the Red Devils’ counterattacks with Vitalii Mykolenko freezing when Matheus Cunha embarked on another surging run.
Similarly, the threat of a fragile squad succumbing to injuries sooner rather than later reared its head with James Garner struck down by cramp.
Desperate times clearly call for desperate measures but forcing the versatile midfielder, newly back from injury, to push his body to its limit was highly risky.
Unfortunately, it is another inescapable trade-off from the wilful neglect that Everton’s absentee overlords set in motion during a farcical transfer window.
Could George fill Ndiaye void?
------------------------------
Iliman Ndiaye’s deadline day departure to Manchester City left a hole in Everton’s attack which Brennan Johnson appeared incapable of filling.
Save for a handful of profligate chances after the half-time interval, the Wales international visibly struggled with the mantle vacated by his brief teammate.
The introduction of Jack Grealish in place of Johnson offered a galvanising effect yet Tyrique George is actually the player stepping into the Ndiaye void.
Eyebrows were raised when Everton agreed a deal worth £24 million to bring back the Chelsea academy prospect on a permanent basis this summer.
He had failed to set things alight in a royal blue shirt during a loan spell midway through last season but Moyes clearly saw the teenager’s potential.
Since returning to Hill Dickinson Stadium, George has been a real live wire and made a compelling case for the Man of the Match against Crystal Palace.
There was no danger of him not claiming the accolade this time around after a superb strike to level things up and open his account in a royal blue shirt.
A shift to the right wing following Grealish’s substitution brought out the best in George and suggests he can help cover the shortfall created by Ndiaye’s exit.