Manchester United vs Everton LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

Andros Townsend’s equaliser cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener to ensure Rafa Benitez’s side left Old Trafford with a point

Solskjaer on Utd improvements ahead of Everton

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Everton on Saturday after Andros Townsend’s equaliser cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener for the home side.

United, who began with Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba on the bench, took the lead two minutes before the break when Bruno Fernandes set up Martial and the Frenchman’s slightly deflected shot flashed past Jordan Pickford.

But Everton caught United out on the break to draw level in the 65th minute -- the impressive Demarai Gray working the ball to Abdoulaye Doucoure, who found Townsend to drill home a low shot.

The visitors looked to have grabbed a late winner when Tom Davies’ low ball was turned in by Yerry Mina, but United were handed a reprieve by a VAR review that judged the goal to be offside.

There was a late chance for United’s Jadon Sancho, played in by a back-heel from substitute Ronaldo, but his shot was easily dealt with by Pickford.

Manchester United vs Everton

• Martial fires United into lead
• Townsend hammers Everton equaliser after fine counter-attack
• Mina goal ruled out for offside as United survive thanks to VAR

[2 October 2021 13:20 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 1 - 0 Everton - HALF TIME

United head to the tunnel with a crucial half-time lead, despite not being at their fluid best.

Everton created some decent openings, but resolute defending from Verane and Wan-Bissaka kept the scoreline at 0-0.

Martial struck just before the break, easy the tension inside Old Trafford that had been building.

[2 October 2021 13:16 · Thomas Fenton]

GOAL! Man Utd 1 - 0 Everton (Martial, 42)

Bruno Fernandes finds the Frenchman in a bit of space on the left.

He lays it to Martial, who fires past Pickford first time to hand United a vital lead.

There’s a hint of a deflection, which appeared to deceive the England stopper as the shot was right at him.

[2 October 2021 13:09 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton

35 mins: Yet again Everton work the ball into a dangerous area inside the United box.

Godfrey’s cross picks out Doucoure, whose goal-bound shot is this time blocked by Wan-Bissaka.

Of the two sides, Everton suddenly look the more likely to net first.

[2 October 2021 13:06 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton

32 mins: Chance for Everton!

Damarai Grey sprints pasts the United midfielders before unleashing a stinging shot from outside the box.

De Gea gets down well to push it wide, but its another warning sign for the Red Devils who are failing to control the game as they’d like.

Just after, Greenwood receives a yellow card for a slightly loose forwards tackle.

[2 October 2021 13:01 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton

28 mins: There’s a bit of handbags between the two sets of players after McTomminay attempted to pick Digne up from the ground following a firm challenge on the Everton man

Ref Michael Oliver calms the situation, with no cards being dished out by VAR.

[2 October 2021 12:58 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton

25 mins: Everton venture forward again in numbers.

The ball eventually reaches Rondon inside the United box, whose goalbound effort is blocked by Lindelof.

Worrying moments for the home side.

[2 October 2021 12:54 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton

20 mins: Chance for Cavani!

After a spell of sustained possession for Everton, the home side nearly take the lead.

The Uruguayan forward rises high to meet Martial’s cross, but can't quite generate enough power to head past Pickford - who parries the ball away for a corner kick.

[2 October 2021 12:48 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton - chance!

15 mins: Michael Keane heads just wide from a dangerous Everton free-kick.

The former United defender’s effort wasn't too far away from De Gea’s far post.

[2 October 2021 12:47 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton

Everton are just starting to play their way into the game, with Rondon winning a handful of free-kicks.

The away are pressing high, trying to pin United into their own half.

[2 October 2021 12:43 · Thomas Fenton]

Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton

11 mins: Greenwood fires a menacing ball across the Everton six-yard box, but none of the United players gamble to try and meet it.

Two minutes later, Solomon Rondon gets in behind the United backline, but cant quite get the ball out from under his feet.

That aside, its one-way traffic in Manchester.