Manchester United suffered a humiliating blow at Old Trafford as ten-man Everton produced one of the Premier League’s most stunning smash-and-grab victories, silencing the Theatre of Dreams and wrecking Ruben Amorim’s first-anniversary celebrations in the dugout.
The 1–0 defeat — delivered by a sublime Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strike — plunged United into fresh crisis and sent Everton fans into delirium, as David Moyes finally claimed his first-ever league win at Old Trafford in the away dugout at the 18th attempt.
And the Toffees did it despite playing more than 80 minutes a man down.
The match exploded into chaos in the 13th minute when Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye was sent off for slapping his own teammate Michael Keane in a heated moment of frustration.
Referee Tony Harrington wasted no time producing a straight red as stunned fans watched the Everton midfielder have to be physically ushered down the tunnel by Jordan Pickford and Iliman Ndiaye.
Not a single Everton player protested. But what looked like the beginning of a collapse became the platform for a defensive masterclass.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Everton struck first — and decisively.
In the 29th minute, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall curled a sensational finish past André Onana, sparking wild celebrations in the away end and leaving United players staring in disbelief.
With Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye and Jack Grealish buzzing around the pitch, Everton looked nothing like a team protecting a man deficit. In fact, United often looked like they were the ones struggling to cope.
On a night meant to highlight his progress over the past year, Ruben Amorim instead found himself booed off at half-time and full-time.
United fans were left fuming as the manager named seven defensive players at home against a bottom-half side — a decision that fed into growing criticism that he is slipping back into last season’s regressive tactics.
The Stretford End’s chants of “attack, attack, attack!” grew louder as the match wore on, especially as United struggled to break down ten men.
Even captain Bruno Fernandes found himself targeted by angry supporters after lofting a glaring chance over the bar.
Joshua Zirkzee made his first Premier League start in 225 days, but the wait did him no favours.
Bullied early by James Tarkowski, rattled by misplaced touches and ineffective in front of goal, the Dutchman only sparked into life in the final ten minutes — but when he finally threatened, Jordan Pickford responded with two world-class saves.
Pickford’s late heroics sealed Everton’s historic win and ensured United’s misery was complete.
For David Moyes, the victory was poetic.
After enduring a torrid stint as Manchester United manager a decade ago — and repeatedly leaving Old Trafford empty-handed as a visiting coach — he finally got his moment.
Organised, resilient and tactically ruthless, his ten-man Everton outclassed a full-strength United side from start to finish.
Before kick-off, Manchester United honoured the 20th anniversary of the death of club legend George Best, a symbol of daring, fearless wing play.
Yet Amorim’s setup — including two full-backs as wingers — felt like the total opposite of United’s attacking DNA.
Supporters knew it, and they made their frustrations clear.
With boos ringing around Old Trafford, United left the pitch looking shell-shocked after one of the most embarrassing home defeats in their Premier League history.
Everton, however, walked off heroes.
Ten men. One stunning goal. Three massive points.
A Premier League upset for the ages.
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