Everton 1-1 Manchester United: Toffees see late goal disallowed
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Everton thought they had clinched all three points late on but the goal was ruled out by VAR
Everton had a late winner against Manchester United ruled out and manager Carlo Ancelotti was sent off in an entertaining game in which both teams were undone by goalkeeping mistakes.
The hosts made a dream start thanks to a calamitous error by United's David de Gea, whose clearance cannoned straight into Dominic Calvert-Lewin and then into the net for the striker's 15th goal of the season.
United responded from that early setback when Nemanja Matic's shot smacked against the Everton crossbar, and they equalised after 31 minutes when Everton's Jordan Pickford failed to stop Bruno Fernandes' bouncing shot from 20 yards.
Everton upped the tempo following the break in a feisty game where seven players were booked, and the hosts came close to scoring when Gylfi Sigurdsson hit the post with a dipping free-kick.
But there was late drama as both keepers redeemed themselves with fine saves, and Calvert-Lewin had a goal ruled out by the video assistant referee in added time because Sigurdsson had been lying on the ground in front of De Gea in an offside position.
That led to Ancelotti confronting the referee and being shown a red card after the final whistle, with boos ringing around Goodison Park.
The result means United extended their unbeaten run to eight games and remain fifth, while Everton's chances of reaching the Europa League were dealt a blow following Wolves' win at Spurs.
Ancelotti cements bond with Everton fans
Ancelotti was pulled away by Everton assistant manager Duncan Ferguson after Calvert-Lewin's challenge on Shaw
Everton have flourished since Ancelotti took charge in December, putting them in touch of a Europa League place - and they extended their unbeaten home run to seven games with this point.
But after Calvert-Lewin's second goal was ruled out, there was a sense of injustice from the manager, the Everton players and a raucous crowd, who all thought they deserved victory.
De Gea appeared to have redeemed himself when he saved Sigurdsson's shot in injury time, but he protested that the Everton midfielder was in his line of sight when Calvert-Lewin followed in.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially awarded the goal, creating pandemonium inside Goodison - but the mood threatened to boil over once VAR intervened.
Despite being dismissed - Ancelotti became the first Premier League boss to be shown a red card - his passion at full-time delighted the home fans, and only cemented his bond with them.
Earlier, he had steamed onto the pitch to break up a melee after a strong Calvert-Lewin tackle on Luke Shaw led to several players squaring up to each other.
There will be disappointment about the manner of the result among Everton fans, but they had a clear demonstration that as well as possessing urbane charm, Ancelotti is willing to fight for their cause.
On a day when former striker Dixie Dean was remembered and midfielder Andre Gomes made his first start since a horrific ankle injury almost four months ago, it made it an occasion to remember.
Henderson's relish as keepers struggle
David de Gea has made seven errors leading directly to an opposition goal in the Premier League since the start of last season
Calvert-Lewin's goal was his eighth in 10 Premier League games, but few have been as easy or fortunate as the game's opener after only three minutes.
De Gea had plenty of time to clear following Harry Maguire's careful backpass, but he dithered and the Everton forward's willingness to press from the front would have impressed the watching England manager Gareth Southgate, who will pick his squad to play Italy and Denmark later this month.
The United keeper atoned for his mistake when he saved smartly from Calvert-Lewin moments later, but it means that no player has made more errors leading to goals since the start of last season than De Gea's seven.
Pickford then contributed to his own team's downfall by letting Fernandes' shot bounce under his outstretched arms.
His mistake was not in the same category as De Gea's, but with Southgate watching on, it may lead the England boss to consider Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson for the forthcoming friendlies.
The fact he is on loan at the Blades from Manchester United may also offer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer food for thought, although the United manager insisted afterwards that he wasn't worried by De Gea's errors and said the Spaniard was "the best keeper in the world".
Solskjaer will once again be delighted by the form of Fernandes, who was the visitors' most creative outlet and scored his third goal since joining the club for £47m at the end of January.
Man of the Match - Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)
The in-form Everton striker (right) has now scored three goals in his last three Premier League appearances
'Disappointed with red card' - what they said
Carlo Ancelotti to Match of the Day on his red card: "When I saw the red card it was a disappointment. I asked for an explanation and afterwards I had a conversation with him - I want to keep that private."
Gylfi didn't affect De Gea's vision for winner - Ancelotti
On Everton's disallowed goal: "The decision was difficult. From our side we say Gylfi [Sigurdsson] didn't affect the vision of the goalkeeper and they decided differently. Sometimes it is right sometimes it is wrong. But the performance gives us more confidence that we can compete with these teams.
"I don't think [David de Gea's view was obstructed]. His vision was clear, but the ball moved past really close to [Sigurdsson] - it's really difficult, it is not an objective decision, it is subjective."
Ole Gunnar Solskaer to Match of the Day on David de Gea's error: "It's something that happens in football once in a while if you take too long on the ball. Calvert-Lewin always chases everything and it's unfortunate that it goes in the goal. We responded and got the goal we deserved."
On the impact of Bruno Fernandes: "He's a good player and we have been missing that type of player to do that for us, I'm very pleased with his contribution."
Solskjaer 'sympathises' with Everton after late VAR drama
Fortress Goodison since Silva sacking
Since Carlo Ancelotti's first game with Everton on 26 December, only Liverpool (30) and Manchester City (19) have won more points in the Premier League than the Toffees (18).
Everton have yet to lose at Goodison Park in the Premier League since sacking Marco Silva, winning four and drawing three games since his departure.
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 11 games against Everton in all competitions (W6 D4 L1), losing 0-4 at Goodison Park in April 2019.
Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 19 goals in 21 league games this season for Sporting Lisbon and Manchester United (10 goals & 9 assists).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 13 Premier League goals this season - the last English player to score more in a single campaign for the club was Paul Rideout in 1994-95 (14).
Since Ancelotti's first game in charge, Calvert-Lewin has scored more Premier League goals than any other player in the competition (8).
David De Gea has made seven errors leading directly to an opposition goal in the Premier League since the start of last season, the joint highest alongside Jordan Pickford, Martin Dubravka and Bernd Leno.
What's next?
Everton travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Premier League next Sunday, 8 March (14:00 GMT).
Manchester United are in action in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Thursday, 5 March (19:45 GMT), before the Manchester derby at Old Trafford against Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, 8 March (16:30 GMT).