Ainsley Maitland-Niles' £4.3m move fuels Everton’s dramatic late point

Everton completed the £4.3 million signing of 29‑year‑old Ainsley Maitland‑Niles from Lyon on a three‑year contract, and his debut on Sunday turned instantly memorable as he rescued a point with a last‑gasp equaliser against Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Maitland‑Niles entered the fray after 77 minutes with the Toffees trailing 1‑0 to the Red Devils. Tyrique George levelled, only for Benjamin Sesko to restore the lead two minutes from time. The right‑back then unleashed a powerful long‑range effort into the top corner, a moment captured by Getty, to clinch a 2‑2 draw.

“It’s definitely one of my favourite days of my career,” the five‑cap England international said after the match. “It’s really emotional, it’s like being out there, going through a flashback – I can’t really put it into words.”

Maitland‑Niles arrives with a résumé that includes FA Cup triumphs at Arsenal and a Conference League medal earned on loan at Roma. He already opened his Lyon account this season, scoring in a Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague, and his Everton goal marks his first Premier League strike since December 2018.

Everton’s early‑season boost

The late equaliser keeps the Toffees unbeaten after one win and two draws, sitting eighth in the Premier League table. Moyes’ side will hope the new signing’s composure can help sustain the momentum as the campaign unfolds.

Transfer market context

The £4.3 million fee reflects a cautious approach in a deadline‑day market where clubs scrambled for value. Everton’s three‑year deal for a player who can score from outside the box underscores a strategy of securing proven talent without inflating wages.