Manchester United suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat at home to a resilient Everton side, who played with ten men for over 75 minutes following an astonishing red card incident. The Toffees' victory, only their second at Old Trafford in 33 visits, came despite Idrissa Gueye's dismissal in the 13th minute for striking teammate Michael Keane after a heated argument.
The bizarre incident occurred after Bruno Fernandes missed a scoring chance, leading to a verbal exchange between Gueye and Keane. Gueye then struck Keane in the face, leaving referee Tony Harrington with no choice but to issue a straight red card for violent conduct, a decision confirmed by VAR.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Everton responded admirably. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored a stunning solo goal in the 29th minute, driving forward and beating multiple United players before firing a right-footed shot into the top corner of the net.
Manchester United, who were missing key players such as Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha through injury, failed to capitalize on their man advantage. Their performance was lethargic and unimaginative, with few clear-cut chances created. Frustration grew among the home crowd, who booed the team off the pitch at both half-time and full-time.
Everton's defense remained resolute throughout the second half, limiting United to speculative efforts. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a brilliant save to deny Joshua Zirkzee late on, ensuring Everton secured all three points.
After the match, Gueye apologized to his teammates for his moment of madness. Dewsbury-Hall, Everton's match-winner, praised the team's reaction to the red card, stating that it made them grow stronger. Manager David Moyes, securing his first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager, expressed his pride in the players' resilience and fighting spirit.
The result sees Everton climb to 11th place in the Premier League, level on points with Manchester United, who slip to 10th. This victory marks a significant moment for Everton, demonstrating their ability to overcome adversity and secure a memorable win against a top opponent. For Manchester United and Ruben Amorim, it represents a major setback, raising questions about their consistency and ability to break into the top five.
