STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.

Barkley equalizer gives Everton 2-2 draw at Hull in EPL

Dec 30, 2016 | 3:15 PM

HULL, England — Ross Barkley headed a late equalizer to earn Everton a 2-2 draw with struggling Hull in the English Premier League on Friday.

Hull captain Michael Dawson gave his side a sixth-minute lead, only for an own-goal by goalkeeper David Marshall in first-half injury time to make it all square.

Robert Snodgrass restored Hull’s lead with a superb free kick in the 65th minute, but Barkley pounced with six minutes left to earn his side a point.

Everton remained seventh in the standings, while Hull swapped the bottom of the table for 19th place ahead of the rest of the weekend matches.

Hull attacked right from the start and was rewarded almost immediately. Curtis Davies rose to meet a corner taken by Snodgrass and flicked the ball on for Dawson to rifle a shot between Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles and the far post.

Everton pushed forward in search of an equalizer and nearly found it in the 15th minute when Seamus Coleman sent a header against the base of the right-hand post.

Though the hosts looked to have done enough to keep their lead until the interval, they conceded in agonizing fashion in the first minute of added time.

Kevin Mirallas sent over a corner and Marshall’s botched attempt to punch the ball clear in an aerial melee with teammate Dieumerci Mbokani saw it fly into his own net.

Lifted by the equalizer, Everton showed more attacking intent at the restart and nearly took the lead after just three minutes. Romelu Lukaku shrugged off Hull’s defenders and managed to unleash a deflected left-foot shot that was tipped onto the crossbar by Marshall.

Soon after, it was Hull’s turn to be denied by the woodwork. Snodgrass drove a free kick over the Everton wall, only for the ball to slam against the post and crossbar with a helpless Robles rooted to the spot.

Ten minutes later, Everton conceded another free kick and this time Snodgrass made the visitors pay. Robles got an outstretched glove to the ball after it curled over the wall, but couldn’t keep it out.

Again, Hull just needed to hold on for a precious victory in its battle to avoid relegation.

But watched by England coach Gareth Southgate, Barkley grabbed Everton’s equalizer with a downward header – meeting a perfect cross from left back Leighton Barnes, whose earlier foul had led to Snodgrass’s goal.

The Associated Press