Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sat 22 February 2025 20:00, UK

David de Gea has reacted after Ashley Young spoke out on social media after Everton were denied a last-gasp penalty during a 2-2 draw with Man United on Saturday.

David Moyes‘ side looked to be coasting to a fifth league victory since his arrival last month, with Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure both hitting the back of the net inside 33 minutes.

The Toffees took control of the game, attempting to hand Ruben Amorim yet another defeat since joining from Sporting CP, but it was not to be as Bruno Fernandes launched a comeback on 22 February.

Manuel Ugarte fired United’s second past Jordan Pickford in the 80th minute before Everton were denied a last-gasp chance to seal all three points by Andy Madley.

Despite initially awarding a spot-kick after Young was brought down in the box by Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, a lengthy VAR review saw the decision reversed.

Tony Bellew was quick to call out Madley for giving the Red Devils special treatment, with the Goodison Park faithful up in arms after a free-kick was given the other way.

Ashley Young wanted Everton penalty awarded v Man United

Taking to Instagram [22 February], Young wrote: “A point’s a point, onwards and upwards! Decisions, angles,” with a side-eye emoji and shrugging shoulders.

He then made reference to Jose Mourinho, stating: “I prefer not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble,“ finally leaving a blue heart emoji for the fans.

Jarrad Branthwaite, Dwight McNeil and David de Gea all liked the post.

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett labelled the Everton decision “farcical” when speaking exclusively to Football Insider, and Young is clearly of the same opinion.

David Moyes’ side robbed of three points at Goodison Park

The Toffees are running out of time to create special memories at Goodison Park before their incredible move to the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium at the end of the season.

All three points at the death against the Red Devils would have surely been one of those moments, but it was ripped away from them as the penalty Young won was controversially overturned.

While a point meant the Blues moving up 14 points clear of the relegation zone, it could have been so much more, and Moyes’ team will feel hard done by just to get a draw.

Until the Toffees are mathematically safe, the stress and worry of avoiding relegation will still be lingering, but performances like the last few should eradicate any of those remaining fears.