Defying the Odds: Ten-Man Everton Stun Manchester United in a Chaotic 1–0 Victory at Old Trafford
Ten-man Everton pulled off a remarkable 1–0 victory at Old Trafford, outworking and outlasting Manchester United in a chaotic match defined by a bizarre early red card, a stunning strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and a heroic goalkeeping display by Jordan Pickford.
Everton arrived at Old Trafford carrying the weight of a terrible record and the memory of years of disappointment, but they walked away with a victory that will live long in Premier League folklore. Reduced to 10 men after just 13 minutes, the Toffees showed unbelievable grit to beat Manchester United 1–0, leaving the home crowd stunned on the anniversary of Ruben Amorim’s first year in charge.
The tone of the night changed early when Idrissa Gana Gueye, in a moment of pure madness, slapped his own teammate Michael Keane during an argument after a sloppy sequence of play. The referee did not hesitate straight red. Everton looked doomed. United fans sensed blood. Yet as the minutes went by, it was the home side who grew more confused, sluggish and careless.
Everton regrouped quickly. Moyes reorganised his lines, tightened the middle, and asked his players to fight for every blade of grass. That spirit was rewarded in the 29th minute. James Garner carried the ball forward with purpose, skipped past weak challenges and slipped it to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The midfielder took one touch, opened his body and unleashed a beautiful curling strike into the top corner. Old Trafford froze. Pickford applauded the finish from the opposite end. Against all odds, ten-man Everton led.
United chased the match from that moment, but the more they pushed, the more nervous they became. Bruno Fernandes fired just wide, Dorgu wasted a golden chance at the back post, and Pickford flew across his goal to push away a deflected Fernandes effort just before the break. Everton held firm, blocking, clearing and running themselves into the ground.
The second half was even more dramatic. United dominated possession, threw everything forward and piled up an xG of 1.66, but their finishing repeatedly failed them. A quick VAR check denied them a penalty when replays showed Mbeumo had actually kicked Keane. Moments later, Pickford was at it again, springing low to deny Mbeumo and then rising sharply to catch the rebound.
Mason Mount created the chance United were begging for, cushioning a perfect cut-back to Fernandes in the six-yard box, but the captain lifted his shot over the bar. It summed up United’s evening—plenty of endeavour, zero precision.
As the pressure mounted, Zirkzee came closest to breaking Everton hearts. His two late headers seemed destined for the net, yet Pickford produced two magnificent saves one at full stretch, the other instinctive and firm to preserve the lead. When the final whistle came after nine minutes of added time, Everton’s celebrations told the whole story. Arms raised, bodies dropped to the turf, and a manager embracing history: at long last, David Moyes had his first win at Old Trafford as an opposition coach.
Everton now rise to 18 points, level with United, and head home with belief flowing again as they prepare to host Newcastle. For Amorim, the questions will only grow louder. On a night meant to mark progress, United instead delivered one of their most disappointing performances of the season slow in attack, vulnerable at the back and mentally shaken by a team playing one man short.
Everton walked into Old Trafford with problems, chaos and a terrible record. They walked out with character, unity and three priceless points.
