Report by talal osman
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s stunning strike earned 10-man Everton a 1-0 win over Manchester United, who tasted defeat on the anniversary of Ruben Amorim's first year in charge.
Everton had not won at Old Trafford since 2013, but despite Idrissa Gueye’s 14th-minute red card for hitting team-mate Michael Keane, they held out for all three points.
Just 15 minutes later, David Moyes’ side took the lead, with Dewsbury-Hall’s bending effort from just outside the box hitting the back of the net despite Senne Lammens getting a hand to it.
United pushed for an equaliser without success in a dominant second half, with Jordan Pickford making big saves to deny Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee.
It is a win that moves Everton up to 11th, level on points with 10th-place United, who missed the chance to move up to fifth.
How the match unfolded
Bruno Fernandes flashed a first-time shot wide of the far post, and the attempt prompted an argument between Gueye and Keane. The former was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after striking his team-mate in the face.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Everton continued to push forward and found the breakthrough 29 minutes in as Dewsbury-Hall skipped past two tame tackles to curl a stunning strike into the top-right corner.
United upped the pressure after going behind, as Amad Diallo dragged one wide of the near post before Fernandes’ curler was tipped over by Pickford.
The Red Devils continued to dominate after the break, with Mbeumo’s low shot from the edge of the box being well blocked by Pickford before Mason Mount curled a follow-up just wide.
As the match opened up in the closing stages, Zirkzee found more space and Pickford, at full stretch, tipped a header wide and another over the crossbar on either side of Fernandes’ long-range strike sailing just over the goal as United failed to find an equaliser.
United falter on Amorim’s anniversary
Exactly one year on from his first match in charge, Ruben Amorim returned to Premier League action with United in high spirits, having won their last four at home.
United had to make changes, though, with Zirkzee given a chance to lead the line in the absence of both Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.
The hosts initially struggled to find their rhythm outside of Fernandes’ early chance – which served as the catalyst for Everton’s red card – as they failed to get Zirkzee involved in the first half.
It took the goal to spark some life into the hosts; Amad drilled a shot straight at Pickford before Patrick Dorgu’s sliced effort flew wide, and the first-half performance prompted a switch at the break, with Mount brought on to provide a different option.
That substitution saw Amad moved out to right wing-back, which provided their first clear opportunity of the second half as his bending cross was glanced wide by Mount.
United had chances to get an equaliser, with Mbeumo and Zirkzee finding their groove as the second half wore on, but Pickford was equal to everything they threw at him.
Matthijs de Ligt almost recreated his last-gasp heroics against Tottenham Hotspur with a late effort, only for it to be blocked in a crowded box, and Amorim will now be looking to bounce back against Crystal Palace.
Everton end their Old Trafford nightmare
Old Trafford has not often been a happy hunting ground for Everton, who had not won there since December 2013 when Moyes was the United boss.
They were forced into early changes to their game plan as Seamus Coleman, making his first Premier League start of the season, was forced off injured 10 minutes in before Gueye’s red card prompted another reshuffle by a stunned Moyes.
However, Everton did not let that red card affect them as they continued to test United on the counter when their hosts committed bodies forward in search of the opener.
Iliman Ndiaye had already attempted to play Thierno Barry in behind, only for the striker to be caught offside, before Dewsbury-Hall easily avoided Fernandes and Leny Yoro to hit the back of the net.
And with a lead to protect, Everton were happy to show off their defensive strengths as they sat in a low block, which looked comfortable when dealing with United’s crosses into the box.
As they continued to hold strong, they gained more confidence going forward and were able to ease some of the pressure by forcing United back while still maintaining their solid base.
Everton are now unbeaten in their last three matches and will be looking to continue that streak against Newcastle United at the weekend.