Moyes Ends Old Trafford Hoodoo in Unforgettable Fashion
David Moyes secured his first-ever victory at Old Trafford as an away manager on his 18th attempt in a truly extraordinary Premier League encounter. His Everton side achieved what no other team in the competition's history had managed before: defeating Manchester United on their own turf while playing with only ten men for the vast majority of the match.
The pivotal, and utterly bizarre, moment arrived in the 13th minute when Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card for raising his hands to the face of his own teammate, Michael Keane. This unprecedented dismissal made Gueye the first Premier League player sent off for fighting a colleague since Stoke City's Ricardo Fuller in December 2008.
Manager Backs Fighting Spirit Despite Dismissal
In his post-match comments, a delighted Moyes offered a surprising perspective on the incident that threatened to derail his team's efforts. "If nothing happened, I don't think anyone in the stadium would have been surprised," Moyes stated, suggesting the referee could have taken more time. He acknowledged the technical breach, "I got told that the rules of the game state that if you slap your own player, you could be in trouble," but then revealed his unique managerial philosophy.
"But there's another side to it: I like my players fighting each other, if someone didn't do the right action," Moyes explained. "If you want that toughness and resilience to get a result, you want someone to act on it." He confirmed that the 36-year-old Gueye had apologised to the squad, who rallied together to secure the three points.
Dewsbury-Hall Seals Famous Victory Amid 'Madness'
The match-winning goal came from Kienan Dewsbury-Hall, whose first-half strike proved to be the decisive action in a match defined by defensive resilience. Describing the night as a "rollercoaster game," Dewsbury-Hall admitted the red card was a "moment of madness" but praised the team's incredible reaction.
"We could have crumbled but if anything, it made us grow," the goalscorer said, highlighting the collective spirit. Everton's defence, marshalled by a series of crucial saves from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and numerous last-ditch blocks, held firm against United's pressure to see out a famous victory.
For Moyes, the win was particularly sweet, having been in charge of Manchester United the last time Everton won at Old Trafford back in December 2013 under Roberto Martinez. "Incredibly proud of the players and the supporters here today," Moyes 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."
