Manchester United twice surrendered a lead to draw 2-2 with Everton, courtesy of a 96th-minute equaliser from Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring at the beginning of the second half before Tyrique George thought he was the home saviour with seven minutes to play.
Benjamin Sesko came off the bench to head United back in front in the 88th minute, setting Michael Carrick’s men up for unlikely late celebrations.
However, with the allocated injury time played and Everton desperately hunting for an opportunity, Maitland-Niles scored his first goal for the club after three years away from the Premier League.
There aren’t many worse ways to lose points in football. But with a Champions League return looming on Thursday, United will need to swallow this disappointment and shift focus immediately.
Momentum is the single greatest asset for any side in any division. With that in mind, Carrick retained the starting XI that laid the foundations for a five-goal mauling of Ipswich last weekend.
That team, led by the flamboyance of Bruno Fernandes, delivered a sparkling second-half display, and the travelling Reds were eager to continue that form at Hill Dickinson.
But any desire for a swashbuckling opening was forgotten within a minute when medics were forced to tend to Harry Maguire following a worrying head collision with Thierno Barry.
Thankfully, after careful attention for a bloodied nose, the 33-year-old took his usual place ahead of Senne Lammens.
The stoppage did little to quell an early Mancunian confidence, though, and Jordan Pickford had the crossbar to thank when Fernandes’ sublime volley silenced the home support moments later.
Luke Shaw extended his Premier League starting run to 41 despite a hamstring scare, and was eager to atone for a troublesome afternoon against Abdul Fatawu.
His rekindled relationship with Marcus Rashford was a notable aspect of a threatening United attack, with the pair routinely endangering the left side with overlapping runs and dangerous balls into the area.
Regardless, for the confidence in interchange and menace in transition, a typically resolute David Moyes defence was content to sit deep and occupy spaces with 11 men behind the ball.
But despite matching their guests in possession figures and completed passes, Everton offered little in the attacking third and waited 43 minutes for Barry to head a solitary opportunity over the bar.
United showed plenty of attacking intent in the opening half, but lacked the final killer touch or moment of quality when required.
Much to the delight of Carrick and his touchline team, Mbeumo disregarded any apprehension of a frustrating continuation within only 61 seconds of the restart.
The Cameroon international collected an early ball from Kobbie Mainoo on the flank, turned and coasted past three defenders before placing an exquisite low shot into the bottom corner.
Everton responded well and enjoyed a promising passage in the aftermath, largely in reaction to an increasingly frustrated partisan support. Lisandro Martinez and co held firm.
As Carrick’s men regained a foothold in attack, Rashford continued to grow in confidence. His pace and trickery were reminiscent of days gone by, and a familiar smile was on display throughout.
Patrick Dorgu eventually replaced the one-time Barcelona loanee, as the Dane joined Sesko for the final 20 minutes of what had become a compelling Premier League fixture.
One goal is rarely enough at the highest level, and Everton’s persistence was rewarded late on when George hammered a ruthless effort past Lammens at his near post. Questions may surface about whether the Belgian could have done more.
In seasons gone by, that blow would have been enough to dampen the spirits of many United squads. But, as we have witnessed since January, this group possesses belief and a notable desire.
Shaw, so often a menace with his overlapping runs, drove deep to collect Fernandes’ layoff before lofting an inch-perfect delivery towards Sesko, who thought he had sealed the win with a trademark header.
But with five minutes of injury time played, and the whistle in John Brooks’ hand, Maitland-Niles sealed a share of the spoils with a 35-yard effort to stun the travelling contingent.
Truthfully, this was far from a vintage United display, and based on the second-half response, Everton deserved their point.
As Carrick alluded to in his pre-match comments, nothing is ever easy against the Toffees. Still, this one will hurt, particularly as some worrying defensive metrics continue to hamper any progression.
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