BELIEVE IT
POIGNANT: Harry Maguire marks the 63rd anniversary of the Munich Disaster
ON the night Manchester United remembered the Busby Babes – one of Old Trafford’s own came agonisingly close to being a fitting matchwinner.
Scott McTominay’s 69th-minute header looked to have edged United behind Premier League leaders Manchester City on goal difference.
But then Dominic Calvert-Lewin snatched an incredible 95th-minute leveller – after Everton had trailed 2-0 and then 3-2.
It was a remarkable conclusion to a topsy-turvy clash.
Two first-half goals by Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes had left Everton reeling.
But Carlo Ancelotti’s men came out swinging after the break to draw level with two goals in three minutes from Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez.
Then McTominay struck, rising to divert Luke Shaw’s swinging free-kick past Toffees’ keeper Robin Olsen with the back of his head.
It looked like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would go into the Old Trafford dressing rooms a relieved man – along with
United keeper David De Gea after his mistake had allowed Doucoure to grab a lifeline for the visitors.
But then Calvert-Lewin lunged in to score another dramatic equaliser.
The soundtrack pre-game was ‘The Flowers of Manchester,’ a song by folk band The Spinners written in honour of the tragic Babes
It felt even more haunting being played at an empty Old Trafford on the 63rd anniversary of the Munich air crash that claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight members of Matt Busby’s brilliant young team.
Skippers Harry Maguire and Lucas Digne both laid wreaths by the centre circle before the teams honoured a minute’s silence.
Mason Greenwood provided the first flash of menace with a dangerous cross that was flicked away from Cavani by Mason Holgate. From Fernandes’ corner, Paul Pogba’s flicked header was looping towards McTominay at the far post until Doucoure hooked the ball clear.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute – and was pure quality.
Marcus Rashford looked up and spotted Cavani pulling off the shoulder of Michael Keane.
His cross was struck with such precision that it took the Everton defender out completely – and a downward nod of the Uruguayan’s forehead did the rest.
Cavani has scored in all three games against the Toffees this season.
After Pogba had limped off, Everton wasted the chance to draw level when Richarlison fired wide of an empty goal after Victor Lindelof’s clearance had been charged down by Digne with De Gea off his line expecting a backpass.
At the other end, Fred scuffed a shot wastefully wide from 20 yards.
Then Fernandes scored with a beauty, looking up to sizzle a curling shot over Olsen from 25-yards and punishing a posse of Everton players for failing to close him down. It was his 18th goal of an incredible season – and the arrogant
CAV IT! Edinson Cavani nods in United’s opener strut of his celebration was pure Eric Cantona.
But Everton were back in the game in the 49th minute when Calvert-Lewin broke onto Tom Davies’ pass and flicked a weak shot goalwards that De Gea could only flick into the path of Doucoure to score.
And the Blues were level three minutes later when Doucoure picked out Rodriguez arriving late into United’s box. The Colombian’s killing first touch enabled him to lash a low half-volley past De Gea.
Rashford should have restored United’s lead when Cavani put him clear, but Olsen stood tall to block his effort.
McTominay thought he’d won it – until Calvert-Lewin pounced with a stunning leveller.