AP | Manchester
Everton beat Manchester United 1-0 to slow the home team’s recent revival in a Premier League game that will be remembered for an early red card shown to Everton’s Idrissa Gueye for striking teammate Michael Keane.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored with a superb strike in the 29th minute, after which Everton were forced to defend their lead. United dominated the visiting 10 men in a one-sided second half but couldn’t find a way past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
It was United’s first defeat since losing 3-1 at Brentford almost two months ago and the first time in 47 Premier League games that a visiting team has won at Old Trafford with 10 men.
However, the night’s unforgettable talking point came after
13 minutes.
Gueye was furious at what appeared to be Keane’s failure to pick up his pass inside the Everton penalty box. Bruno Fernandes stepped in and fired wide but an angry Gueye confronted Keane.
Keane shoved Gueye, who responded with a slap to Keane’s face. Referee Tony Harrington displayed the red card for “violent conduct.”
“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,” the league said in a social media post.
The Senegalese was the first player to be sent off in the Premier League for fighting with a teammate since Stoke City’s Ricardo Fuller saw red after clashing with Andy Griffin in 2008.
David Moyes’ team silenced the home crowd by taking the lead 16 minutes after Gueye was dismissed.
Dewsbury-Hall’s stunning 18-metre strike was a memorable one for the Everton stalwart, but it was an exceptional moment for the Toffees.
After the goal it was all United. The home side had 25 shots on Pickford’s goal, compared to Everton’s three at the other end.
