Everton Under-23s rounded off their Premier League 2 campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
The young Blues opened the scoring through Matty Foulds’ close range effort, before Tahith Chong equalised for United.
Luke Garbutt’s brilliant strike put the Blues in front again at the start of the second half but Devonte Redmond hit back for Ricky Sbragia’s side to snatch a point for the Reds.
United were first to threaten in the clash, with Cameron Borthwick-Jackson almost putting them ahead on six minutes. The ball fell to his feet from a Chong corner but the defender dragged his shot wide.
Everton began to get a foothold in the match and had their first effort on goal four minutes later - Josh Bowler was brought down on the edge of the area and Garbutt fired the resulting free-kick just over the bar.
Bowler then threatened again by tricking his way past two United defenders before rifling in a shot that was well held by United keeper Matej Kovar.
The Blues then made the breakthrough on 20 minutes. Danny Bramall’s wicked corner delivery evaded the United defence and Foulds was on hand at the back post to finish with aplomb.
The lead wasn’t to last long however and just four minutes later Chong levelled for United.
Ethan Hamilton’s initial shot was blocked but it fell into the path of the Dutch winger who finished calmly past Hilton.
Everton quickly regrouped, with the dangerous Bowler a constant menace down the right.
It was Nathan Broadhead who would go closest to putting the Blues back in front however, his curling effort from 25 yards had Kovar scrambling but the ball went inches wide.
The sides went in at half-time on level terms but it didn’t take Everton long regain their lead.
On 46 minutes Luke Garbutt found space on the edge of the box and fired the ball past Kovar, leaving the United keeper grasping at thin air.
Buoyed by the goal, the Blues started to dominate and went close to adding a third through Bowler – who stung Kovar’s hands with a fierce effort – before Garbutt shot just over from 20 yards.
After weathering the Blues’ storm, United gradually began to string a few passes together, with Chong at the centre of their best work.
And it was from the Dutchman’s jinking run that the Reds’ won the corner that would lead to their equaliser. Callum Gribbin’s resulting delivery found Devonte Redmond who slammed the ball high into the net past Joe Hilton on 74 minutes.
The final 15 minutes were frantic as both sides searched for a winner. However, neither could carve out a clear-cut opportunity and they had to settle for a point apiece.
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