Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte save the day for Manchester United with dramatic draw at Everton

David Moyes’s side denied stoppage-time penalty after VAR review, shock defeat for Arsenal

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring his sides first goal against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday, February 22, 2025. PA

Bruno Fernandes helped Manchester United rally from two goals down to avoid another damaging defeat for Ruben Amorim and earn a 2-2 draw at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

United were headed for a ninth defeat in their last 13 league games as goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure put the Toffees 2-0 up inside 33 minutes.

But late goals from Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte saved the day for United even as the hosts were denied a stoppage-time penalty following a VAR review.

"We start the game too late," said Fernandes.

"Every time we concede a goal and are down it is the only time we start to take a little bit more risk and pass forward.

"We need to start games like that because we are in a situation where we need to win games and create chances to score goals."

United's woeful campaign looked set to get worse as more poor defending allowed rejuvenated striker Beto to fire Everton in front early on, and Doucoure made it 2-0 before halftime at Goodison Park.

The visitors did improve after the break and captain Fernandes pulled a goal back from a free kick before Ugarte slammed home a superb equaliser 10 minutes from time to complete the comeback.

Everton thought they were set to snatch a dramatic win after they were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.

United were fortunate as Ashley Young looked to have been pulled down by a combination of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.

The referee pointed to the spot but was instructed to take a second look and overturned his decision to save Amorim from further embarrassment.

One point apiece kept United 15th in the standings, three places below their opponents.

"I think it was a soft touch from what I saw," United manager Amorim said. "I think it was a soft penalty, it was clear.

"We did not exist in the first half. We need to win three points and we need to win the whole game. The worst part is that we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we need to do. We were soft."

Everton were in a battle for survival when David Moyes returned for his second spell in charge last month. They have now taken 14 points from a possible 18 in their last six games to ensure their 71-year stay in the top flight will not come to an end.

"I know they're not in a great position but we're still up against a side who have a tradition of winning games and being very successful," said Moyes.

"So getting a point today is not the worst result, but it feels disappointing after being 2-0 up."

Moyes admitted the result could have been different at the end of the match.

"I thought the on-field decision looked the correct decision," added Moyes. "I'm a bit surprised he was asked to go to VAR because I thought that it looked difficult to change your mind on that."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the defeat o West Ham at the Emirates StadiumPA

Shock loss for Arsenal

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered a hammer blow when Jarrod Bowen's goal just before halftime gave London rivals West Ham United a surprise 1-0 away win.

Bowen headed in from close range in the 44th minute and Arsenal's feeble attack, missing a host of injured forwards, could not prevent a first home league defeat of the season.

Arsenal barely troubled visiting keeper Alphonse Areola, managing two shots on target, and played the last 20 minutes with 10 men after substitute Myles Lewis-Skelly was red-carded for hauling down Mohammed Kudus.

Mikel Arteta's second-placed side have 53 points from 26 games, eight behind leaders Liverpool who face champions Manchester City away on Sunday.

Also, Brighton & Hove Albion added to relegation-threatened Southampton's woes with a 4-0 win at the St Mary's Stadium, handing the Saints their eighth consecutive home defeat in the league.

Southampton remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just nine points from 26 matches, while Brighton move up to eighth with 40 and are four points behind fourth-placed City, who have a game in hand.

A first-half own goal by Fulham defender Joachim Andersen and a second-half strike from Daniel Munoz gave Crystal Palace a 2-0 win away, with the home side failing to register a shot on target.