Manchester United 0-1 Everton
Dewsbury-Hall (29′)
Ten-man Everton secured their first victory at Old Trafford since 2013 after a stunning first-half strike by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, condemning Manchester United to a dismal defeat.
The game started unusually, with Everton reduced to 10 men in the opening 15 minutes. Miscommunication in the box between Michael Keane and Idrissa Gueye allowed Bruno Fernandes to unleash a dangerous shot on goal.
Gueye was furious at his teammate for not clearing the ball, and after storming towards him, he appeared to slap the defender. Referee Tony Harrington quickly reached for his red card; the Senegalese midfielder had to be ushered towards the tunnel by Jordan Pickford.
The home crowd found amusement in the incident, but it gave David Moyes’ side an unnecessary setback.
Despite the deficit, Everton struck first through Dewsbury-Hall. Joe Garner split the United midfield with a clever pass, allowing the midfielder to turn and drive past several red jerseys. After tussling his way to the edge of the box, he delivered a curling, right-foot strike past the helpless Senne Lammens to confirm an unlikely lead.
The Red Devils knocked on the door for the entire second half, going close on several occasions. Bryan Mbuemo linked with Joshua Zirkzee on the hour mark, but Pickford parried his strike from the edge of the box.
Mason Mount found Fernandes in the box after a clipped Matthijs De Ligt pass 10 minutes later, but the Man Utd captain blazed over with the outside of his right foot.
Pickford produced an outstanding save in the 80th minute to maintain Everton’s slender lead. Luke Shaw stood up a cross for Zirkzee to attack in the six-yard box; his header looked destined to nestle in the bottom right corner, if not for Pickford’s outstretched hand.
The visitors were defending valiantly, but Pickford’s experience as England’s number one goalkeeper paid dividends for the Merseyside team, who secured a clean sheet and three points.
Victory for Moyes’ side moved them above rivals, Liverpool, into 11th spot, as they secured back-to-back victories in the league. Rubin Amorim’s side remains in 10th, and is now three games without a win.
Manchester United: Lammens Yoro De Ligt Shaw Mazraoui (Mount 46′) Casemiro (Mainoo 58′) Fernandes Dorgu (Dalot 58′) Amad Mbeumo Zirkzee
Everton: Pickford Garner Tarkowski Keane Mykolenko Coleman (O’Brien 10′) Gueye Ndiaye (Beto 81′) Dewsbury-Hall (Alcaraz 88′) Grealish (McNeil 87′) Barry (Iroegbunam 81′)
