Everton’s unbeaten start remained intact, but only after Hull City refused to let a second-half swing carry them away. A match that barely stirred before the interval burst into life afterwards, producing four goals in 25 minutes and a 2-2 draw that left both sides with something to show for their afternoon.
David Moyes’ side began with more of the ball and looked the steadier outfit in the opening stages, yet Hull gradually settled and made the contest more even. Clear chances were scarce before the break, with the most notable moment ending in a VAR correction.
A quiet first half, then a proper contest
- Everton thought they had taken the lead in the 34th minute when Brennan Johnson reacted after Tzolakis failed to hold the ball. The goal was ruled out following a VAR check for offside.
- The teams went in level at 0-0, having offered plenty of effort but little cutting edge in either penalty area.
- Hull struck three minutes after the restart. Ainsley Maitland-Niles gave the ball away, Sorba Thomas slipped Gelhardt through, and the forward delicately lifted his finish over Jordan Pickford.
- Maitland-Niles made amends six minutes later, setting up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to bring Everton back level.
- Everton could have completed the turnaround in the 59th minute, but Barry missed with the goal open after the ball ran between his legs.
- Barry recovered from that extraordinary miss in the 67th minute. Sorba Thomas misplaced a pass, allowing the forward to take advantage and guide a composed inside-foot finish beyond the Hull goalkeeper for 2-1.
- Hull found another response six minutes later. Belloumi cut inside past Branthwaite and struck a shot which Pickford got a hand to but could not keep out.
- Neither side could force a winner in the remaining minutes, as a cautious first half gave way to an end-to-end second.
Points shared, unbeaten run continues
Gelhardt, who had already looked Hull’s most likely scorer before the interval, took his goal well and Belloumi supplied the late individual quality required to rescue a point. Hull had been punished for errors in the second half but showed enough resolve not to let Everton’s comeback settle the matter.
For Everton, Dewsbury-Hall’s equaliser and Barry’s eventual finish turned a difficult position into a promising one, though the visitors could not protect their advantage. Moyes’ men remain unbeaten and sit provisionally fifth on 10 points.
Hull move into ninth place with nine points, with the rest of the round still to be completed. It was a draw which looked unlikely at half-time, then inevitable once the game decided to make up for lost time.
