In one of the most extraordinary Premier League matches in recent memory, 10-man Everton defied all odds to secure a stunning 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, despite Idrissa Gueye's bizarre 13th-minute red card for slapping his own team-mate.
The Moment of Madness That Changed Everything
The match took a dramatic turn when Idrissa Gueye became the first Premier League player since 2008 to be sent off for fighting a team-mate. The incident occurred after Gueye's loose pass presented Bruno Fernandes with a chance, sparking an immediate argument with defensive partner Michael Keane. In a moment of pure frustration, Gueye raised his left hand and struck Keane across the face, prompting referee Tony Harrington to immediately produce the red card.
The decision was confirmed by VAR official Paul Howard, with the Premier League later stating: "The referee's call of red card to Gueye for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action deemed to be a clear strike to the face of Keane." Despite Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville arguing the incident "did not warrant a sending off", the decision stood, leaving Everton to play more than 75 minutes with ten men.
Dewsbury-Hall's Moment of Magic
Against all expectations, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced a moment of pure quality to give the visitors an unlikely lead on the half-hour mark. The midfielder, repurposed in central midfield following Gueye's dismissal, weaved his way between Bruno Fernandes and Leny Yoro before curling a spectacular shot into the net. Speaking after the match, Dewsbury-Hall admitted: "I didn't even know I had that in my locker."
The goal proved enough to secure Everton's first victory at Old Trafford since 2013, when current manager David Moyes was in charge of Manchester United. The result also ended United's recent resurgence under Ruben Amorim, marking a significant setback for the Portuguese manager.
Heroic Defending and Pickford's Brilliance
What followed was a masterclass in defensive resilience from the visitors. Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced several crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, with his best stops coming from Joshua Zirkzee's headers. The Manchester United forward, making his first start in 225 days, remains without a Premier League goal in 2025 despite his efforts.
As United piled on the pressure in the second half, Ruben Amorim's tactical decisions came under scrutiny. The Portuguese manager persisted with three central defenders despite Everton's numerical disadvantage, drawing criticism from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. "This is a bad night for the manager," Carragher stated. "I don't understand how you can stick with something so steadfastly in a situation like that."
Fallout and Apologies
Following the match, Idrissa Gueye issued a public apology via Instagram, taking full responsibility for his actions. "I want to apologise first to my teammate Michael Keane. I take full responsibility for my reaction," the Senegalese international wrote. "I also apologise to my teammates, the staff, the fans and the club. What happened does not reflect who I am or the values I stand for."
The red card means Gueye will serve a three-match ban, though he may not feature for Everton again for several months as he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in December.
Moyes' Long-Awaited Old Trafford Triumph
For David Moyes, the victory marked a historic personal achievement after 18 previous attempts as an away manager in the Premier League at Old Trafford. "Incredibly proud of the players and the supporters here today because we've had so many encounters here where we've not got a result," the Everton manager beamed. "We've come close but not been able to get over the line. But incredibly we've got over the line with 10-men, which is the hardest way to get a result here."
The defeat prompted strong criticism of Manchester United from former captain Gary Neville, who described the performance as "an embarrassment". Neville accused United of complacency, stating: "The minute that you think as a football player that you just have to turn up on that pitch and you're Manchester United and you can play, you're done."
The remarkable result sees Everton become the first side in Premier League history to win at Old Trafford while receiving a red card, creating a story that will be remembered as one of the season's most dramatic turnarounds.
