A dramatic afternoon unfolded at Hill Dickinson as Ainsley Maitland-Niles marked his Everton debut with a 96th-minute equaliser against Manchester United.
Two things learnt as Everton showed their resilient nature against Manchester United
Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Everton celebrates his goal to make the score 2-2 with teammates during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on September 6, 2026. (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ainsley Maitland-Niles' dramatic 96th-minute equaliser rescued Everton a point as they maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Benjamin Sesko thought he had won Manchester United the three points as he restored his side's lead with three minutes remaining.
The introduction of summer signing Jack Grealish and Hayden Hackney proved to be vital, as Everton showed their resilient nature and fought on to earn a point.
Following a hectic few days off the pitch, it's been a promising start on the pitch as they've earned five points out of nine.
Everton's depleted squad marched on
For the past few seasons, Everton's togetherness and spirit has been a major factor in how they've managed to steer away from relegation trouble, and for large periods of last season, they were battling for Europe.
The Blues' Transfer Deadline Day fiasco has been highlighted, as Everton are currently left with 18 outfield players and are quite notably short in a few positions. Despite having a small squad, Everton do have a lot of players who can play in different positions, and will offer something different for David Moyes.
In the first half against Manchester United, Everton were lacking the clinical edge to pressure the Reds' backline, but Thierno Barry had a huge opportunity to head the Blues in front as he was on the receiving end of Merlin Rohl's cross, but couldn't keep his header down.
TOPSHOT - Manchester United's Portuguese defender #02 Diogo Dalot (L) and Manchester United's Cameroonian midfielder #19 Bryan Mbeumo (R) vie with Everton's English midfielder #19 Tyrique George (C) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north-west England on September 6, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
TOPSHOT - Manchester United's Portuguese defender #02 Diogo Dalot (L) and Manchester United's Cameroonian midfielder #19 Bryan Mbeumo (R) vie with Everton's English midfielder #19 Tyrique George (C) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, north-west England on September 6, 2026. (Photo by PETER POWELL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Everton started the second half in an awful manner as they conceded a minute after the restart as they allowed Bryan Mbuembo to drift inside and fire past Jordan Pickford. Everton's spirit remained intact, and following the introduction of Jack Grealish and Hayden Hackney, the Toffees started to look dangerous.
Before Everton made the changes, they did get themselves into promising positions. Brennan Johnson's deflected effort left Senne Lammens rooted to the spot. Barry showed clever footwork inside the penalty box, before the ball fell to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whose tame effort left a lot to be desired.
Hackney's impact off the bench
Hackney provided improvisation and brought a different type of energy to the Everton midfield. The summer signing often drove the Blues forward as he played the ball to Barry, but the ball went under the Frenchman. Hackney reacted quickest before playing the ball to George, whose effort flew into the top right corner.
Everton conceded minutes later, and it would have been easy for David Moyes' side to go through the motions. However, Ainsley Maitland-Niles introduced himself to the Evertonians in the best possible manner.
The ball fell to the 28-year-old, and he curled his strike into the top left corner, leaving Lammens rooted to the spot. This caused bedlam inside Hill Dickinson, and the whole squad ran to pile on the goalscorer, which highlights the togetherness inside the Everton dressing room.
In his first spell, David Moyes has shown that when his hands are tied behind his back, this is where he excels and gets the best out of his Everton team.
Keeping Jarrad Branthwaite fit
In Sunday's draw against Manchester United, Branthwaite showed how important he is to the Everton backline. In the final minutes of first-half added time, Marcus Rashford was played through before the defender slid in and stopped the attacker from having an attempt on goal.
The ball fell to Bruno Fernandes, and his shot on goal was immediately blocked by Branthwaite, and you could see how much it meant to him as he spurred on the Everton crowd.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 6: Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite celebrates Ainsley Maitland-Niles scoring his side's equalising goal to make the score 2-2 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 6: Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite celebrates Ainsley Maitland-Niles scoring his side's equalising goal to make the score 2-2 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
One of the biggest strengths that the 24-year-old has is his reading of the game, as he knows when to step in and often times his tackles to perfection. His recovery pace is Everton's biggest asset, as it allows Everton to play higher up the pitch, and his ability on the ball also gives Everton a different way of playing.
Branthwaite won all of his four aerial duels and one ground duel. The 6ft 5 defender also made four recoveries, blocked shots, and clearances, once again showing his resilient nature.
Everton will hope that his injury concerns are a thing of the past, as the defender has started the season strongly and is an important pillar for David Moyes' side.