By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Goodison Park

Everton staged a stunning comeback to score twice in injury-time to deprive Manchester United of victory after Sir Alex Ferguson dropped Wayne Rooney for his return to Goodison Park.

United looked to be making light of Rooney's absence for Ferguson's 700th game in Premier League management as they held a comfortable two-goal lead at the start of three minutes of added time.

Everton, who had looked neat in possession without having a cutting edge, found a foothold in the game with Tim Cahill's header and, with United suddenly rocking, Mikel Arteta fired home a deflected equaliser to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Rooney did not even travel with the United squad after a week of allegations about his private life, but for so long it did not look as if Ferguson's decision would prove costly.

The outstanding Steven Pienaar gave Everton the lead just before half-time, but Darren Fletcher equalised within four minutes and when Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov added further goals to put United in total command they looked assured of victory.

Everton's former Manchester United keeper Tim Howard had kept them in contention with a succession of fine saves - and the value of his contribution was underscored in that stunning finale.

United were left shell-shocked, and Everton boss David Moyes even ran on to remonstrate with referee Martin Atkinson at the end after he blew his whistle with Phil Jagielka closing in on goal, presumably claiming there was more time to play.

Ferguson will be left to rue United's failure to emphasise their superiority in the second half - and perhaps the fact that Rooney was not able to influence affairs.

PHIL McNULTY'S BLOG My view is that Ferguson should have played Rooney simply because of his quality, and it almost hinted at weakness (not something that can usually be associated with anyone or anything at Old Trafford) to exclude him

Everton made the early running as United adjusted to the absence of Rooney - but it was still Ferguson's side that carved out the better chances in a pulsating first 45 minutes.

Moyes attempted to cure Everton's lack of goals this season by using Cahill in the unfamiliar role of striker, supported by the giant figure of Marouane Fellaini.

And again, while Everton showed great promise in possession, there was a lack of cutting edge that meant too often their approach work came to nothing in the opening stages.

John O'Shea almost broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion after 15 minutes with a rising drive that beat Howard but glanced off the outside of the post.

Everton wasted an opportunity to take the lead when Tony Hibbert's cross was deflected invitingly into the path of Leighton Baines inside the area, but the defender miscued a tame attempt.

Howard then came to Everton's rescue twice in swift succession with outstanding saves, first with his legs from Paul Scholes' deflected effort and then a fine one-handed stop from Ryan Giggs as he looked poised to score.

The stalemate ended six minutes before the interval, and it was Everton who made the breakthrough. Patrice Evra's error allowed Arteta to break clear, and even though Edwin van der Sar saved his effort, Leon Osman had the presence of mind to set up Pienaar from the rebound for a comfortable finish.

Everton's lead lasted only four minutes as United hit back in style as Fletcher timed his run perfectly to steer home Nani's brilliant cross.

And Nani was the creator again as United took the lead two minutes after half-time, once more producing the perfect delivery for Vidic to steer a downward header beyond Howard.

After Howard was again forced to save from Nani, United produced a masterpiece of technique to add the third after 66 minutes.

Scholes' pass dropped perfectly behind the struggling Sylvain Distin for Berbatov to control instantly before he demonstrated great confidence to steer a finish past Howard.

This enthralling encounter looked to be moving towards an inevitable conclusion until that dramatic late Everton surge earned a point.

Cahill headed home a cross from Baines to give Goodison hope, and the Australian then headed another cross from the defender into the path of Arteta, who scored via a deflection off Scholes.

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