Lee Hendrie has told Everton fans that John Brooks was right not to award a penalty against them during Sunday's clash between the Blues and Manchester United. The two met in the Premier League at Hill Dickinson Stadium, each with hopes of building momentum.
Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock for the visitors moments into the second-half, curling with precision past Jordan Pickford from the edge of the box. United felt that they should have had an opportunity to double their advantage from the penalty spot moments later, when Matheus Cunha went down in the Everton box.
Marcus Rashford beat James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite before backheeling toward Cunha, who waited on the edge of the six-yard box. However, a last-ditch challenge from Tarkowski saw the Brazilian dispossessed.
VAR clears Tarkowski challenge
United players pleaded their case on the pitch, due to the lunging nature of Tarkowski's challenge, with VAR taking a closer look before ultimately deeming that the defender had won the ball fairly - ruling out a spot kick.
And Hendrie was also quick to give his view, as the incident was scrutinised by officials. He said on Sky Sports' coverage of the game: "What an unbelievable run from Marcus Rashford. This is outstanding, Rashford at his best."
"Positive drive, stands on his feet in cleverness just to try to put the ball into the path of Cunha. Was it a penalty? Tarkowski gets enough on the ball, and he does...just. The penalty has been checked, and it's cleared. It's a brilliant tackle."
"This angle shows more, he just gets complete purchase on the ball. Is Cunha looking for it? Tell you what, it is a risky one but it's well worth it. It's outstanding defending from Tarkowski."
Late drama ends in 2-2 draw
Following a subdued opening period, it seemed United and Everton reserved all the drama for the second-half, with Tyrique George offering the hosts a lifeline to rescue something from the fixture in the 83rd minute, hammering the ball beyond Senne Lammens at his near post from the right edge of the box.
However, Benjamin Sesko struck back merely four minutes afterwards. Luke Shaw delivered a curling cross into the heart of the penalty area from the left flank, with the Slovenian forward ghosting between Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko before heading home unopposed.
With United seemingly on course to secure a hard-fought away victory, Ainsley Maitland-Niles had different ideas. The debutant substitute collected the ball on the edge of the box, striking it first time and finding the back of the net to send Hill Dickinson into raptures - the match ending 2-2 moments later.
It will feel like a defeat for United, but a major win for Everton - who sit eighth in the Premier League standings as a result. Up next for David Moyes is a clash with Tottenham Hotspur on the road come Saturday, September 12.
