Fernandes spared David De Gea’s blushes by rescuing a 1-1 draw for Manchester United at Goodison Park. Later On, Everton had a late winner ruled out by VAR.
De Gea’s clearance deflected into his own net with three minutes on the clock. Conversely, Fernandes equalized with his third goal in three games on the half-hour. He rammed home a near-post drive that Jordan Pickford will be disappointed not to have saved.
Gylfi Sigurdsson crashed a free-kick against the post in the second-half and a stunning double save from Pickford denied substitute Odion Ighalo a late winner.
Nonetheless, VAR had the final say on an incident-packed afternoon on Merseyside. Calvert Lewin’s had his deflected shot ruled out after it adjudged Sigurdsson who lay prone in an offside position.
The decision made by VAR prompted boos from the Goodison Park. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti was issued a straight red card for his remonstrations with the referee.
How Fernandes and VAR spared De Gea’s blushes
United had kept a clean sheet in six of their previous seven matches. However, the run came to an end inside three minutes on Merseyside in the most bizarre circumstances.
The frenetic start ensured there was no time for self-pity from Calvert Lewin. But United withstood the early Everton onslaught and established a foothold in the game. Nemanja Matic rattled the crossbar on six minutes and Anthony Martial dragged a shot wide before the Serb’s rasping drive drew a save from Pickford.
Greenwood glanced a header over the bar on 17 minutes. It was not long before the United pressure finally told on Everton’s goal. Fernandes’ swerved near-post drove flashing under Pickford’s defense.
Having climbed back off the canvas though, Richarlison was unable to steer Leighton Baines’ sumptuous cross on target on the stroke of half-time.
Everton returned from the break with a renewed measure of control and United had to soak up constant pressure.
Fernandes looked to guide his side to victory late on with a surge into Everton territory. But, his square pass was brilliantly hooked behind by Baines just as Ighalo looked set to score his goal.
In a thrilling finale, Pickford thwarted Ighalo with two saves at point-blank range in the final minute before Everton were contentiously denied the winning goal in stoppage time with a VAR decision that left the Goodison faithful with the bitterest of tastes in their mouths.