Premier League English

1 step forward, 2 steps backwards – the Man United rumba

Dominic Calvert-Lewin stunned Manchester United in stoppage time as the striker secured Everton a hard-fought 3-3 draw at Old Trafford.

Just days on from the 9-0 annihilation on nine-man Southampton, the Red Devils looked set to celebrate another Old Trafford victory.

Manchester United took their goal tally for the week to 12, but their hopes of joining Manchester City at the top of the Premier League were dashed as Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s last-gasp goal secured a 3-3 draw on Saturday.

After a record-equaling 9-0 hammering of Southampton in midweek, United’s attack was again on song with Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes scoring before halftime.

Everton then retaliated through Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez in the space of three second-half minutes.

Scott McTominay then headed what should have been the winner after Everton had stormed back to level, but there was a final twist as Calvert-Lewin poked home with the last kick.

City can take a stranglehold on the table as they travel to Liverpool on Sunday seeking a 10th successive league win.

For United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it was a sickener, especially given some of the football his side played.

“Results create the mood, the last kick of the ball makes us go home really disappointed, we have lost two points on a long thump upfield which we should have defended,” he said.

“We played some good football in the second half but conceded three goals from three shots on target.”

United’s propensity to drop home points – they have now won only five of their 12 league games at Old Trafford – looks likely to cost them the chance of reclaiming the Premier League title they last managed in 2012-13.

United’s soft underbelly from set-pieces was exposed in stoppage time, with Lucas Digne’s free-kick flicked on by Michael Keane and Calvert-Lewin directing home for Everton.

The hosts will be wondering how they conspired to throw away victory here, especially having gone into half-time two goals up thanks to Cavani’s fine header and Fernandes’ moment of magic.

Everton were level within seven minutes of the second half getting under way as Doucoure turned home before Rodriguez rifled home the leveller, only for McTominay to head home Luke Shaw’s free-kick.

Yet in stoppage time, Calvert-Lewin was there to pounce, sealing a memorable point at an empty Old Trafford.