A late Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty denied Everton maximum points against Manchester United.

Ronald Koeman headed to Old trafford hoping to record a third successive win and appeared to have achieved the feat when Phil Jagielka put the visitors ahead.

But victory was snatched from a much-improved Blues side in the dying minutes of the game when Ashley Williams handled a goal-bound Luke Shaw volley.

The Welshman was shown a straight red card as Ibrahimovic stepped up to convert from the penalty spot and ensure the sides shared the spoils.

Here were the key talking points from Old Trafford:

Blues deliver a perfect response

 

Ronald Koeman went out of his way to play down the defeat to Liverpool, insisting it was ‘just another game’. It seems his team paid heed to his words.

Rather than reflecting on their disappointment at Anfield, the Blues were proactive and brave in their approach at Old Trafford, taking the game to the hosts and making a contest of it.

It was a strategy that would have garnered a positive result had Williams not suffered his last minute moment of panic.

Everton teams of the past would have allowed themselves to be rolled over after defeats such as the one to Liverpool. The fact they refused this time around is a major step forward.

Dropping two points in the final minute will undoubtedly sting but there were plenty of positives for Ronald Koeman and his men to take away.

Derby nightmare just a blip for Robles

 

No Everton player endured a worse outing in the Merseyside derby than Joel Robles.

Caught out Sadio Mane’s opener and leaving fans still scratching their heads at his positioning for Divock Origi’s goal, the Spaniard appeared to be heading for a fall.

But fears of a drastic dip in form were allayed at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

Robles made several impressive saves to maintain Everton’s lead and was robbed of a well deserved clean sheet by Ashley Williams’ moment of madness.

Just like his team, this was a much-needed response from the current Everton number one and should give him confidence for the remainder of the season.

Jagielka fighting for his future

 

With the influx of youngsters into the Everton team since the turn of the year, the clock has been ticking on the playing time of several senior figures.

Chief among them has been Phil Jagielka, who has spent most of 2017 sat on the substitutes’ bench as others have been favoured ahead of him.

A summer exit appears increasingly on the cards but his showing against Jose Mourinho’s side suggested he may still have something to offer next season.

The 34-year-old produced a captain’s display, leading from the back with a consummate defensive display up against a returning Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

With Ramiro Funes Mori out for the rest of the season, it seems he is determined to fight for his Everton future. This game showed he might have one.

Securing seventh now in focus

 

Before the international break, Koeman had stated that the games against Liverpool and Manchester United would define Everton’s European hopes.

It proved to be a chastening week for his side as a result, with a failure to beat either side effectively ending any hopes of a late push for the top four.

Everton still remain seventh in the table, five points better off than they managed in the whole of last season and are seven points ahead of West Brom behind them.

Consolidating that position until the end of the season should now be their sole focus with a Europa League place representing a good first year under the Dutchman.