Hull 2-2 Everton: Toffees' unbeaten start continues two days after owners revealed plan to sell and despite calamitous transfer window as Mohamed Belloumi salvages draw for the Tigers in exhilarating second half

These are curious times at Everton, one of English football’s grand old institutions with owners that want out but whose unbeaten start to the season continued after a thrilling second half.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, the game ignited in exhilarating fashion.

Boyhood Liverpool supporter Joe Gelhardt fired Hull ahead but Everton hit back to lead with goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry before home substitute Mohamed Belloumi kept his composure to rifle home a superb equaliser.

In the end, a draw felt about right after an absorbing encounter which capped a turbulent few days for Everton boss David Moyes, his players and supporters.

On Friday morning, and just 22 months after taking over from Farhad Moshiri, confirmation that the Friedkin Group (TFG) wish to sell the club arrived.

The news came as no real surprise after last term’s top scorer Beto and prized asset Iliman Ndiaye were both sold on deadline day.

Attempts to cash in on highly-rated teenager Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest were kiboshed after fans threatened to riot.

Nevertheless, it was a calamitous transfer window which left Moyes with just 18 outfield players and one striker.

And yet despite everything, Everton are now unbeaten in six Premier League games, although they let slip a lead after coming from behind during the second half.

Gelhardt, a Scouser and boyhood Liverpool fan who spent time in the youth ranks at Everton before being released, opened the scoring with a neat finish in the 48th minute.

Gelhardt celebrated in style but the visitors levelled seven minutes later, though, with a close-range header from Dewsbury-Hall and Barry then blasted home a second with 22 minutes remaining.

Yet Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic has fashioned some spirit in his side and Belloumi fired home a superb 74th-minute equaliser to deny Everton victory.

An entertaining first half saw both sides fashion numerous half-chances and Everton’s Brennan Johnson have a goal ruled out for offside following a VAR check.

Hull fought and scrapped for every ball and midfielder Matt Crooks twice hacked down Jack Grealish cynically in the opening quarter, the second of those challenges earning him a booking.

It said much for the uncompromising approach of a newly-promoted Tigers outfit who themselves have begun the season in encouraging fashion.

Jakirovic’s men were never going to allow the likes of Grealish, James Garner and Dewsbury-Hall to pop the ball around with their usual swagger.

And having survived some nervy moments in the first half, Hull led shortly after the break when Oli McBurnie expertly found Sorba Thomas, whose clever pass played in Gelhardt.

The former Wigan and Leeds man cleverly lifted the ball over the onrushing Jordan Pickford with a neat left-footed finish and the MKM Stadium erupted.

The response from Everton was impressive and emphatic as Dewsbury-Hall stooped to head home a deep cross from Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

After Thomas’ errant pass gifted Everton possession, Hull were made to pay as Dewsbury-Hall’s touch fell kindly to Barry to fire home right-footed.

Still, Hull were not finished and good work from Elliot Stroud on the left flank saw him find Belloumi, who controlled the ball and created the space to rifle a shot past Pickford from 12 yards.

Cue more Hull delirium and delight as the Tigers maintained their unbeaten home start and Everton headed back to Merseyside still to taste defeat this season.