Everton were denied back-to-back wins by Manchester United.

Beto opened the scoring midway through the first half by volleying the ball into the turf after the visitors had failed to clear their lines from a corner.

David Moyes’ side went further ahead courtesy of a header from the returning Abdoulaye Doucoure seizing on the rebound of Jack Harrison’s saved effort.

But the visitors reduced their deficit when Bruno Fernandes struck a free kick which left Jordan Pickford rooted to the spot in the Gwladys Street End’s net.

They finally pulled level in the remaining 10 minutes as Manuel Ugarte struck from inside the penalty area from Beto’s half-clearance of a set piece.

A late moment of controversy saw the Blues awarded a penalty for a foul on Ashley Young before a VAR review overturned the original decision.

Here were the key talking points from Goodison Park:

VAR drama denies Blues this time

The last time Goodison saw a game end 2-2, it sparked widespread euphoria.

But while the scenes of delirium which greeted Everton’s Merseyside derby draw felt like a win, the visit of Manchester United was more akin to a defeat.

Just 10 days on from David Moyes’ side snatching a point deep in the throes of added time, they were denied all three here in a near-identical fashion.

VAR found in the Blues’ favour first time around for James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute leveller yet it conspired against them against the Red Devils.

A foul on Ashley Young by a combination of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt had seen referee Andy Madley immediately point to the penalty spot.

Stockley Park, however, had other ideas and advised the match official to overturn his original decision after reviewing footage on the pitch side monitor.

The Premier League’s explanation only acknowledged Maguire’s push on Maguire but ignored the elephant in the room of De Ligt’s blatant shirt pull.

Whatever the arguments about Young’s theatrics following the moment of impact, he and Everton have every right to be aggrieved at the oversight.

Doucoure rewards Moyes’ faith

Technology was not the only eyebrow-raising aspect of Saturday’s game.

Everton’s starting line-up sparked its own bewilderment with the return of Abdoulaye Doucoure following his sending-off in the fiery post-derby scenes.

Moyes would have been more than justified to persist with Charly Alcaraz, who took the Mali international’s place in last week’s win at Crystal Palace.

A goal and assist suggested that the January arrival could be handed back-to-back starts, especially with his recent muscle memory of the Premier League.

Yet Doucoure’s restored presence was more than vindicated despite his raised arm allowing United to retake the free kick for their undue reducer.

Beyond an instinctive header to rebound home Jack Harrison’s parried effort, his work rate was unrelenting and allowed the hosts to press from the outset.

Doucoure became something of a fall guy when Everton were labouring during the final months of Sean Dyche’s reign but has earned Moyes’ trust.

Like Beto, who became the first player in a royal blue shirt since Richarlison to score in four consecutive games, he is fully repaying that faith in him.

Goodison shines again in the sun

In the week that Everton welcomed fans to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock for the first time, its predecessor offered a timely reminder of its charm.

Goodison’s days are officially numbered with only five home games remaining before it is consigned to history in favour of a future on the city’s waterfront.

But this grand old ground can still match the occasion when required, as was shown again both before and during its hosts taking on a subpar United side.

Prior to kick-off the Gwladys Street End was resplendent with flags and banners by atmosphere group The 1878s in tribute to ‘Everton Giants’.

The famous terrace’s songbook never stopped for more than a few minutes at most throughout this lunchtime encounter against their North West rivals.

Even in winter sunshine, the Grand Old Lady retained the traits that had seen their team over the line under the lights against Liverpool earlier this month.

The intense pressing from Moyes’ side which suffocated United from the outset invigorated Evertonians to have their voices bouncing off the rafters.

Making the remaining five matches here, not just the final outing against Southampton, as intense is now the challenge for the rest of the season.