Maitland‑Niles Scores on Premier League Debut for Everton
· Sports · BBC Sport, Sky Sports
Everton’s late‑day signing from Lyon, Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, scored a spectacular strike in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium, becoming the first Everton player in eight years to score on debut. The 29‑year‑old appeared for less than twenty minutes, having been an unused substitute in a Ligue 1 match for Lyon just the week before. After a series of loan spells at Ipswich, West Brom, Roma and Southampton, Maitland‑Niles moved to France in 2023, but struggled to establish himself in Ligue 1. Everton, who lost long‑time right‑back Seamus Coleman, chose him after a prolonged search, with manager David Moyes noting that the goal was a “brilliant finish” and a good start to help him settle. The match added a new defensive option and a potential scoring threat for the Toffees as they enter the final stretch of the season.
Why it matters
Maitland‑Niles’ goal gives Everton a fresh right‑back option and morale boost, potentially affecting the team’s defensive solidity and attacking depth in the remaining league matches.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.