Maitland-Niles scores on Everton debut in 2-2 draw vs Man United — SkimNews
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- Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored a spectacular debut goal for Everton in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium, becoming the first Everton player in eight years to score on his debut after joining on deadline day from Lyon.
- Everton's transfer window ended chaotically: the club cancelled Harrison Armstrong's move to Nottingham Forest after fan fury, sold Iliman N'Diaye to Manchester City for up to £65m, and lost Beto and Nathan Patterson, leaving David Moyes with only 18 senior outfield players until January.
- David Moyes admitted Everton did not know much about Maitland-Niles when they signed him, calling the goal "a brilliant goal and a great finish" and a good start to help him settle in.
- Thierno Barry, Everton's top scorer in all competitions, missed his fourth big chance of the Premier League season by heading over Merlin Rohl's cross, with Wayne Rooney calling the performance "frustrating at times" and "a bit sloppy."
- Tyrique George, 20, who made his loan-to-permanent move permanent in July, scored Everton's first with a thunderous strike past Senne Lammens at the near post.
- A deadline-day deal for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun collapsed, deepening Moyes's attacking shortage ahead of the January window.
- Moyes signed Maitland-Niles as a replacement for retired long-time right-back Seamus Coleman after a "tedious, summer-long search" frustrated supporters.
Why it matters: Moyes begins the season with the thinnest senior squad of any Premier League side — just 18 outfield players, a failed Balogun deal, and Barry's continued profligacy up front — meaning every point Maitland-Niles and George salvage from unexpected sources could be the difference between survival and a relegation scrap.
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