Everton Triumph at Old Trafford Despite First-Half Red Card Drama
Everton pulled off a remarkable and against-all-odds 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night, a triumph made all the more incredible by a shocking first-half red card shown to their own player, Idrissa Gana Gueye, for slapping teammate Michael Keane. Despite playing with ten men for the vast majority of the match, a moment of magic from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall sealed a famous win for the Toffees and ended manager David Moyes's long-running hoodoo at his former club.
Gueye's Moment of Madness
The match was turned on its head after just 13 minutes in a truly bizarre incident. During a heated on-pitch argument, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye was given a straight red card after striking his own teammate, defender Michael Keane. The astonishing dismissal left the visitors with a monumental task, playing over 75 minutes a man down at the home of the Red Devils.
Dewsbury-Hall's Decisive Strike
Rather than capitulate, Everton dug deep, producing a dogged and brilliantly disciplined defensive performance. The ten men held firm against a surprisingly toothless United attack and then landed the decisive blow. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall curled in a superb effort that proved to be the only goal of the game, securing a priceless three points for the Merseyside club.
This victory was particularly significant as it was Everton's first win at Old Trafford since December 2013. On that occasion, David Moyes was in the home dugout; this time, he masterminded the victory from the away bench, finally securing his first Premier League win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager. The result also brought Ruben Amorim's United side crashing back down to earth after a five-match unbeaten run, with the home team being loudly booed by their own fans at both half-time and full-time.
The absence of injured strikers Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha was keenly felt by United, who struggled for creativity and a cutting edge throughout. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stood firm as an impenetrable last line of defence, ensuring the three points returned to Merseyside on a night Amorim tasted defeat on the first anniversary of his maiden game in charge.
