Everton delivered one of the most disciplined and unlikely victories of the Premier League season, stunning Manchester United 1–0 at Old Trafford in a dramatic contest defined by resilience, controversy, and wasteful finishing.

Against all odds, the Toffees survived more than 75 minutes with 10 men after a bizarre early red card yet still left the “Theatre of Dreams” with three priceless points.

For Man United, it was a night of deep embarrassment and missed opportunity, as they failed to climb into the league’s top five on the first anniversary of manager Rúben Amorim’s tenure.

The match’s defining moment arrived just 13 minutes in, when Idrissa Gueye was astonishingly sent off for slapping his own teammate, Michael Keane, during a heated defensive mix-up.

The decision stunned players, officials, and supporters alike, and for Everton—whose record at Old Trafford has long bordered on disastrous—it appeared to signal another inevitable setback. Yet rather than folding, the visitors reorganised with remarkable composure and commitment.

In contrast, Manchester United initially looked unsettled by Everton’s unexpected shift in shape. Their disjointed pressing and careless passing allowed the Toffees to grow in confidence, and they were punished midway through the first half.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall capped a swift counter-attack by bending a brilliant strike into the top corner, silencing Old Trafford and turning the evening into an uphill struggle for the hosts.

United sought an immediate response through Dorgu and Bruno Fernandes, but neither could find accuracy, while Jordan Pickford produced a superb flying save to deny the Portuguese midfielder.

United returned from the interval with greater purpose and intensity, dominating possession and piling pressure on Everton’s makeshift defensive block. By full-time, they recorded an expected-goals tally of 1.66 compared to Everton’s 0.23, but wastefulness defined their night.

Fernandes squandered multiple openings, and substitute Joshua Zirkzee saw two efforts spectacularly turned away by Pickford, whose commanding display further frustrated the home side.

Everton’s defensive performance embodied David Moyes’ trademark grit and organisation, and the reward was monumental: not only did they end United’s unbeaten run, but they also moved level with them on 18 points.

For Moyes personally, it marked a significant milestone—his first ever Premier League victory as an opposing manager at Old Trafford.

As the final whistle sounded, Everton celebrated a triumph forged in character, discipline, and tactical clarity.

Their focus now shifts to next weekend’s home fixture against Newcastle United, where they will aim to secure a third consecutive win. For Manchester United, however, it is back to the drawing board yet again.

Amorim’s side must quickly regroup ahead of a demanding trip to Crystal Palace, with mounting pressure to convert possession and chances into meaningful results.

It was an absorbing, chaotic, and ultimately memorable night in Manchester, one that showcased Everton’s defiance and exposed United’s glaring inconsistencies.