London: Everton pulled off a remarkable 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night, overcoming a chaotic early setback after Idrissa Gueye was sent off for slapping teammate Michael Keane. Despite being reduced to 10 men inside 13 minutes, the Toffees produced a disciplined, resilient display capped by a superb Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strike.
The result ended Everton’s long drought at Old Trafford — their first win there since December 2013 — while also delivering visiting manager David Moyes his maiden Premier League triumph at the stadium where he once occupied the home dugout.
Manchester United, who entered the game unbeaten in five, offered little in response and were loudly booed off both at half-time and full-time as their lack of creativity and cutting edge became glaringly apparent. Without injured strikers Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha, United looked toothless, repeatedly denied by the brilliant Jordan Pickford.
Early chaos and Gueye’s moment of madness
Everton’s promising start quickly unravelled when captain Seamus Coleman hobbled off with an injury, forcing Jake O’Brien into action. Minutes later, tensions spilled over as Gueye reacted angrily to a misplaced pass that gifted Bruno Fernandes a chance.
In a heated exchange with Keane, Gueye struck his teammate, prompting referee Tony Harrington to show a straight red card. Pickford had to intervene to separate the two players as Gueye stormed off, leaving Everton with a mountain to climb.
Dewsbury-Hall delivers the decisive blow
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Everton capitalised on slack Manchester United defending. Dewsbury-Hall drifted past Fernandes and Leny Yoro before bending a superb effort into the far corner in the 29th minute, leaving goalkeeper Senne Lammens helpless.
United’s attempts to respond before the break were thwarted by Pickford, who produced a stunning stop to deny Fernandes from long range.
United struggle as Everton dig in
Ruben Amorim introduced Mason Mount at half-time, but United continued to misfire. Overhit crosses, misplaced passes, and blocked shots frustrated the Old Trafford crowd, who grew increasingly restless.
Pickford remained unbeatable, denying Bryan Mbeumo and later pulling off a superb save to keep out Joshua Zirkzee’s header — the Dutchman making his first start in 225 days.
Fernandes and Zirkzee both sent chances off target as the hosts piled on pressure, but Everton’s defence held firm until the final whistle. The boos that echoed around Old Trafford summed up a night to forget for United as Everton celebrated one of their most determined victories of the season.
