FEATURE: ECHOES OF 2012 IN EVERTON'S OLD TRAFFORD COMEBACK

Photo credit: Reuters 

Back in April 2012, Everton’s Steven Pienaar slotted home a late equaliser and made it 4-4 at Old Trafford after a title-chasing Manchester United side managed by Sir Alex Ferguson had led for a large portion of the game.

In Saturday’s action at Old Trafford, in an identical fixture and on the 63^rd anniversary of the Munich disaster, there was more than one similarity that could be drawn to that thrilling afternoon which had dramatic consequences on one of the most thrilling title races of the Premier League era.

It was a much older and more experienced David de Gea, in comparison to the 21-year-old in between the sticks that day in 2012 still in his first season in England after his £19 million move from Atletico Madrid that summer, that was beaten to the ball by Everton talisman and England international Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 95^th minute which secured the Toffees an improbable point.

The 23-year-old’s leveller meant Manchester United had surrendered two points in a game they had led for a total of 43 minutes, as opposed to the 28 minutes that they had held the initiative almost nine years before.

Two first half goals, one a close-range header from Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani via a terrific Marcus Rashford cross and the other a 20-yard beauty from Bruno Fernandes, had put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in a comfortable position at half time.

Perhaps too comfortable a position as their lead was halved in the opening seven minutes of the second period as Abdoulaye Doucoure followed up de Gea’s save after Calvert-Lewin had been sent through and tapped home.

Then just three minutes later a superb piece of control and ruthless finish from Colombian starlet James Rodriguez put the Toffees level.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side appeared to have channelled the spirit of the team led by David Moyes in 2012 which saw 83^rd and 85^th minute strikes from Nikica Jelavic and Pienaar pull back a two-goal deficit in the blink of an eye.

However, they did not press on after this and let United regain their grip on the match and retake the lead on 70 minutes when Everton’s on loan Swedish goalkeeper Robin Olsen slipped as he tried to save Scot McTominay’s glanced header from a Luke Shaw free kick.

Solskjaer praised his players for how they responded, saying: “A great reaction. Played really well, created chances, played some fantastic football. We scored a goal, should have scored a few more.”

The Norwegian was right to rue those missed chances and it was a fellow Norwegian in Joshua King, whom Solskjaer had nurtured during his time as manager of Manchester United reserves, that helped the visitors back into the game when he was brought down just inside the United half by substitute Axel Tuanzebe.

Lucas Digne sent the free-kick in and some poor defending from Harry Maguire allowed another United academy graduate Michael Keane to flick it on for Calvert-Lewin to cushion on his chest and poke home for the equaliser in the dying embers.

“It’s a deserved point, we competed against one of the best teams in the Premier League,” said Ancelotti. “I’m still convinced that we are not at the same level but we can fight with our qualities. We showed more in the second half than we did in the first but it doesn’t matter. I am proud of my team, honestly, I’m really proud.”

The Italian has every right to be so. The win moves his side up to sixth in the league which, with a game in hand on most teams around them, means European qualification is still a distinct possibility.

The draw also maintains a seven-game unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League, which is only one off an eight-game record held jointly by two streaks in both 2010 and 2016.

The fact Everton can equal that record by avoiding defeat in the Merseyside derby in two weeks’ time just makes it even more fascinating.

Meanwhile for Manchester United, who were looking to build on from their 9-0 demolition of Southampton earlier in the week, are instead are losing ground in their title challenge as they remain two points behind their city rivals, who have played two games less.

They may grudgingly have to hope their other deadly rivals Liverpool can do them a favour later this afternoon when City come calling to Anfield but it would appear, though not quite as damaging as the 4-4 draw back in 2012, this dropping of points to a late Everton goal will have grave repercussions come May.