Everton extended their unbeaten run this season to eight matches in all competitions as a dramatic encounter at Hull City finished 2-2.
Brennan Johnson thought he had fired David Moyes' men in front in the first half but following a check of the pitchside monitor by referee Michael Salisbury, he was deemed to have been offside in the build-up. The game then sparked into life in the second half as mistakes from Jarrad Branthwaite and Ainsley Maitland-Niles gifted the newly promoted hosts the lead on 48 minutes with Joe Gelhardt providing the finish.
Second-half turnaround
The Blues equalised on 55 minutes as Maitland-Niles redeemed himself somewhat by putting in the cross for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to head them level and then the midfield scorer turned provider to pick out Thierno Barry on 68 minutes to fire the visitors in front.
But Everton couldn't hold out for a first Premier League away win this term as on 74 minutes, home substitute Mohamed Belloumi's shot proved too hot for Jordan Pickford to handle.
Player ratings
Jordan Pickford 6 – Stood up well to Gelhardt's shot late in the first half but then the Hull player held his nerve to beat him one-on-one to open the scoring and with James Trafford now pushing him for his England number one spot, he'll be disappointed not to have kept out Belloumi's shot for the equaliser, having got a hand to it.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles 6 – Villain turned hero as his error allowed Hull to take the lead before he fashioned Everton's equaliser. As Oli McBurnie played a diagonal pass, he made a real hash of it, flicking the ball to Sorba Thomas who fed Gelhardt to score, but then the right-back popped up in the inside left position to put in the cross for Dewsbury-Hall's headed equaliser. But may not be happy with role in second Hull goal, either.
James Tarkowski 7 – Found himself in a running battle with McBurnie, he made a well-timed challenge on the big Hull centre-forward, who later picked up a booking for barging into him off the ball, he led well as always but looks better when Branthwaite is alongside him.
Michael Keane 7 – Surprise inclusion alongside Tarkowski at centre-back as Branthwaite moved over to the left of defence, he read the game well while some others alongside him were more up and down, but ultimately you want Branthwaite in that area.
Jarrad Branthwaite 6 – Where to start? It was eventful. Playing out of position at left-back, he played in the initial cross for Everton's disallowed effort, got nutmegged by McBurnie in the build-up to Hull's first goal and put a chance on a plate with a cross for Barry which the striker somehow missed.
James Garner 7 – Many saw him as the prime candidate to fill in at left-back if Vitalii Mykolenko didn't make it but he stayed in central midfield and while still working his way back to sharpness after a hernia operation in the summer, he forced Kostantinos Tzolakis to tip his dipping free-kick over the bar and got better as the game went on.
Harrison Armstrong 6 – The teenage prospect keeps up his record of starting every Premier League game for Everton so far this season, but conceded what felt like an unnecessary corner, although it was his shot that led to Johnson's disallowed goal.
Brennan Johnson 6 – After being the player in the offside position that saw Barry's second goal against Ipswich Town chalked off last time out, lightning struck twice as – following a check on the pitchside monitor – he was denied a first Premier League goal for Everton for being deemed to have been offside again, which seemed cruel, highlighting how he can be quiet for long periods, but still a threat in the final third.
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall 8 – A clever display from the start – winning a string of timely free-kicks – he then stepped things up considerably after the break, with a delightfully taken header to draw Everton level before showing fantastic anticipation to intercept Thomas' pass and pick out Barry, hurting himself in the process but then soldiering on.
Jack Grealish 7 – The creative force and Matt Crooks knew it when he chopped him down early on, he had a shot that went straight at Tzolakis and was always trying to work some magic with a patient pass.
Thierno Barry 7 – Headed over the bar when a big chance came his way in first half stoppage time from Grealish's lofted cross and then almost tripped over the ball when Branthwaite put a chance on a plate for him but was the coolest man inside the MKM Stadium to fire Everton in front with a smart finish.
Substitutes
Tyrique George (on 66 for Johnson) 6 – Unfortunate perhaps to be on the bench again now Everton have Grealish and Johnson, he came on and had spells on either flank but was unable to sparkle this time.
Hayden Hackney (on 78 for Armstrong) – Mocked by the Hull fans for Middlesbrough's defeat in the Championship play-off final, he almost played a lovely diagonal pass to Barry but it was just overhit a touch.
Jake O'Brien (on 78 for Maitland-Niles) – Brought on to shore things up at right-back in the latter stages.
Tyler Dibling (on 87 for Grealish) – Late cameo.
Charly Alcaraz (on 87 for Barry) – Ditto.
