The clash between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford delivered one of the most bizarre and chaotic narratives of the Premier League season. In an incident that left players, fans, and pundits alike speechless, Everton’s Idrissa Gueye was dismissed for shockingly striking his own teammate, Michael Keane. Despite this catastrophic self-sabotage in the opening quarter of an hour, the ten-man Toffees managed to pull off an improbable 1-0 victory, plunging the Red Devils further into crisis.
The Bizarre Red Card: Gueye Punches Teammate Keane
The atmosphere around Old Trafford, already tense given Manchester United’s shaky form, erupted into disbelief in the 13th minute with the score locked at 0-0. The match saw a truly unprecedented event: a red card issued for player-on-player violence within the same team.
The incident stemmed from a moment of irritation and miscommunication. After Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes missed an attempt and kicked the ball out of bounds, Idrissa Gueye appeared to lash out at defensive teammate Michael Keane regarding a perceived failing in a preceding play.
The confrontation escalated rapidly. Keane initially pushed Gueye away, but Gueye instantly retaliated, pushing back. Crucially, video evidence captured Gueye in a motion that was confirmed to be a strike to Keane’s face. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford rushed over desperately to intervene and separate the warring teammates, but the damage was already done.
The spectacle of the red card was confirmed after a VAR review. The video assistant referee verified that Gueye had committed “a clear punch to the face of Keane,” leaving referee Tony Harrington no choice but to show the Senegalese midfielder a straight red card. To add to the confusion, Sky Sports were unable to immediately replay the crucial moments leading up to Gueye's rage, including Fernandes' missed shot, making the entire situation even more controversial and discussed.
Dewsbury-Hall's Decisive Strike Defies The Odds
Reduced to ten men so early in the game, the smart money was on Manchester United to easily take control and punish the self-destructed visitors. Instead, the red card seemed to galvanize Everton, who demonstrated remarkable unity and defensive resilience.
The ultimate shock arrived in the 28th minute. Against the run of expectation, Everton took the lead through a spectacular effort from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Finding space at the edge of the box, the midfielder unleashed a brilliant long-range shot that curled perfectly into the top right corner of the goal, leaving the United defense and goalkeeper rooted.
The Old Trafford faithful were silenced. This stunning goal would prove to be the only score of the entire match, setting up a seemingly impossible task for United: breaking down a motivated, ten-man defense determined to protect their advantage.
United's Attack Fizzles Out Amidst Growing Crisis
The second half became a frustrating exercise for United manager Ruben Amorim. Attempting to inject some life and creativity into his stagnant attack, he introduced attacking personnel including Mason Mount, Diogo Dalot, and Kobbie Mainoo.
However, the team’s performance was defined by a profound lack of cohesion and creative impetus. Despite the undeniable advantage of playing with an extra man for over 75 minutes, United’s attacks were disjointed, predictable, and easily contained by Everton’s deep-lying, disciplined defensive block. Shot after shot was blocked, misplaced, or handled comfortably by Jordan Pickford.
As the clock ticked down and the score remained unchanged, the frustrations of the home crowd boiled over, with loud boos ringing out from the stands. The home side appeared lifeless, unable to conjure the magic required to penetrate a stubborn defense, turning their numerical superiority into a psychological burden rather than a tactical advantage.
In the end, Everton secured an incredible 1-0 win, weathering the internal storm caused by Gueye’s early dismissal and exploiting United’s crippling lack of creativity. The victory was a massive statement for the Toffees, while the defeat plunges Manchester United deeper into crisis, with Gueye's bizarre act of indiscipline becoming the most talked-about, and defining, aspect of a shocking afternoon.