“It felt like a win”: Maitland-Niles hails Everton spirit after sensational stoppage-time strike salvages point vs Man United

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has said Everton's last-gasp draw against Manchester United 'felt like a win'.

Everton twice fought back to preserve an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, with Maitland-Niles scoring a sensational stoppage-time equaliser on debut.

After a goalless first half that saw Manchester United hit the woodwork and Thierno Barry miss the Blues' best chance, the game burst into life.

Bryan Mbeumo fired Manchester United into the lead almost immediately after the restart, only for Tyrique George to thump the Toffees level.

Everton's hard work looked to have been undone when Benjamin Sesko headed home an 87th-minute goal for the visitors, but Maitland-Niles' super strike, deep into stoppage time, rescued a result.

Speaking to Sky Sports at full-time, the deadline-day signing said Everton's late leveller felt like a victory.

"It felt like a win. We dug deep and managed to get a point in the end. The crowd were with us and we were fighting to the end and that's why you get those results.

"It's amazing [to score a debut goal], everyone wants to start off like that and thankfully I did. The ball fell to me on the edge of the box, I put my foot through it and it ended up in the top corner which I'm happy about.

"I came in to work hard. It's a team full of hardworkers so I fit right in. I'm going to show I can fit right in and pull my weight and give as much as everyone else, if not more."

Read more - Two fantastic Everton goals steal a point from the jaws of defeat

 

---

Reader Comments (4)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()

How to get rid of these ads and support TW