10-MAN EVERTON STUN MANCHESTER UNITED AFTER MID-GAME TEAMMATE SLAP RED CARD

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Agency Report

Everton pulled off a shock 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday despite playing almost the entire match with 10 men, following a bizarre incident in which Idrissa Gueye was sent off for slapping his own teammate, Michael Keane.

The Senegalese midfielder received a straight red card in the 13th minute after confronting Keane and striking him in the face during a heated disagreement. Referee Tony Harrington immediately issued the dismissal, a decision later confirmed by VAR as violent conduct.

The extraordinary sending-off the first in the Premier League since 2008 for fighting with a teammate stunned spectators and momentarily halted play.

United, expected to capitalise on their numerical advantage, struggled instead to break down a resilient Everton. Against the run of play, Everton took the lead in the 29th minute through a superb solo effort from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who drove forward, evaded Bruno Fernandes and Leny Yoro, and curled the ball into the top corner.

Ruben Amorim, marking his first anniversary as United manager, introduced Mason Mount at halftime and later brought on Kobbie Mainoo and Diogo Dalot in an attempt to inject creativity. However, United remained ineffective in attack despite dominating possession.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was resolute, notably denying Fernandes from distance before the interval and keeping out a powerful Joshua Zirkzee header late in the game.

The Toffees had earlier suffered another setback in the 10th minute, losing captain Seamus Coleman to injury, but held firm to complete a famous victory.

United entered the match unbeaten in five games, while Everton’s win achieved under extraordinary circumstances will go down as one of their most dramatic in recent years.

The Premier League Match Centre posted on X: “The referee’s call of red card to Gueye for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR with the action deemed to be a clear strike to the face of Keane.”

Everton now turn their attention to rebuilding unity in the squad after the unexpected internal bust-up that shaped the result.