Everton secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday, ending a 12-year wait for a win at the venue despite playing nearly the entire match with ten men. The pivotal moment came just 13 minutes into the game when midfielder Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card for slapping his teammate, Michael Keane, following a heated argument on the pitch.
The incident, verified by VAR, marked the first time a Premier League player has been sent off for fighting a teammate since 2008. To compound their early troubles, Everton also lost captain Seamus Coleman to injury in the 10th minute.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the visitors took the lead in the 29th minute through a moment of brilliance from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The midfielder surged to the edge of the penalty area, cutting past Bruno Fernandes and Leny Yoro before curling a powerful shot into the top corner past United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
The goal stunned the home crowd and gave Everton a lead they defended resolutely for the remainder of the match. Manager David Moyes, who had never won at Old Trafford as an opposition manager in 17 attempts, saw his side display immense character to hold onto the advantage.
Manchester United, unbeaten in their previous five matches, dominated possession but struggled to break down Everton’s defense. The hosts lacked creativity and cutting edge in the final third, with their best chances coming late in the game.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was in inspired form, making several crucial saves, including a spectacular stop to deny a header from Joshua Zirkzee with ten minutes remaining.
The result lifted Everton to 11th in the Premier League table, level on points with United but behind on goal difference. Speaking after the match, goalscorer Dewsbury-Hall revealed that Gueye had apologized to the team in the dressing room. "We could have crumbled, but if anything, it made us grow," he said, praising the squad's resilience.
Conversely, United defender Matthijs de Ligt described the performance as a "step back" for his team, admitting they lacked the patience and intensity required to break down a ten-man opposition.
The victory holds special for Moyes, who finally broke his Old Trafford curse against his former club. For Everton, it was a night of overcoming adversity, turning a potentially disastrous start into one of their most memorable away wins in recent history.
Meanwhile, United face renewed scrutiny as their inconsistency continues to hinder their push for a Champions League spot.