Lackluster United shocked by ten-man Everton, as Senegalese causes scandal unseen for 17 years in EPL

Manchester United just cannot catch a break!

Last night, they had everything: a sturdy, but far from elite rival at Old Trafford, and a chance to reach the top four.

Everton's Idrissa Gana Gueye even brought a gift to the Red Devils, being sent off for slapping his own teammate, Michael Keane, after only 13 minutes. But alas... It was not enough.

The Toffees played smart, strong, solid, and uncompromising football, dedicated to defending Jordan Pickford and his goal.

However, their toughness doubled after the 29th minute, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's deadlock-breaker put them in front and shocked the entire Theatre of Dreams.

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And United... Ah, United... At some point, the impression was that the game could have lasted for hours, and Ruben Amorim's men, even then, would not have found the net.

Truth be told, they had some decent chances over Bruno Fernandes and Joshua Zirkzee, but it was too futile, considering that they played with a man up for more than 80 minutes.

The Toffees were brave, and football rewarded them with a 1-0 victory no one saw coming after Gueye's scandalous move.

A verbal and almost physical altercation between United's Joshua Zirkzee and Everton's James Tarkowski hinted at tension from the very beginning of the duel.

However, no one could imagine how it would manifest itself... In a fight between two visitors' players!

Following one poor defensive reaction and Bruno Fernandes' dangerous strike, Idrissa Gana Gueye physically assaulted his own teammate Michael Keane, slapping him in the face?!

Therefore, the Senegalese left the referee Tony Harrington no choice but to send him off after only 13 minutes!

Yet, as if the rivals remained equal, the Toffees showed they would be a tough nut to crack, leaving little space for the Red Devils to exploit the numerical advantage.

So, instead of focusing solely on defence, they took the lead!

A minute before the half-hour mark, the ex-Chelsea man Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made a terrific solo effort and crowned it with a banger, finding the top-left corner of Senne Lammens' goal.

Following the shocking opener, United started pressuring, though it took them 31 minutes to make a shot on target?!

Until the break, Jordan Pickford denied Amad Diallo and Bruno's efforts, while Patrick Dorgu failed to finish a promising counter with a leveler, shooting far wide.

So, despite being a man up for over half an hour after a scandalous situation in the rivals' ranks, Ruben Amorim's crew was 1-0 down at the break.

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Given that Zirkzee - who was supposed to replace the injured Matheus Cunha in the XI - was almost completely useless, the Portuguese gaffer left Noussair Mazraoui in the locker room at halftime, replacing him with Mason Mount to improve his team's attack.

Nevertheless, it took the home team 18 minutes in the second period to create a notable chance, even though the ball kept constantly circulating Everton's box. Bryan Mbeumo fired from the edge of the box, but Pickford shone again.

Nine minutes later, Bruno shot over the bar from close range, wasting another decent chance.

Still, the impression was that United were lacking creativity to crush the Toffees' fortress in front of Pickford. Amorim's solutions from the bench - Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo - also failed to improve the Red Devils' display.

The best opportunity in the game came ten minutes before the end when the England national team's first-choice keeper magnificently stopped Zirkzee's header, keeping the Liverpool side in front with little time to play.

And the remaining time was not enough for United to salvage at least a draw! Everton played with a man down for over 80 minutes and triumphed at Old Trafford, bringing David Moyes his maiden win over United as a visiting coach.

The Red Devils wasted a massive chance to reach the Premier League top four, while the Toffees caught up with the Manchester side thanks to this victory, as each team now has 18 points.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - ROUND 12

Saturday

Burnley - Chelsea 0-2 (0-1)

/Neto 37, Fernandez 88/

Bournemouth - West Ham 2-2 (0-2)

/Tavernier 69 pen, Unal 81 - Wilson 11, 35/

Brighton - Brentford 2-1 (0-0)

/Welbeck 71, Hinshelwood 84 - Thiago 29 pen/

Fulham - Sunderland 1-0 (0-0)

/Jimenez 84/

Liverpool - Nottingham Forest 0-3 (0-1)

/Murillo 33, Savona 46, Gibbs-White 78/

Wolverhampton - Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-0)

/Munoz 63, Pino 69/

Newcastle - Manchester City 2-1 (0-0)

/Barnes 63, 70 - Dias 68/

Sunday

Leeds - Aston Villa 1-2 (1-0)

/Nmecha 8 - Rogers 48, 75/

Arsenal - Tottenham 4-1 (2-0)

/Trossard 36, Eze 41, 46, 76 - Richarlison 56/

Monday

Manchester United - Everton 0-1 (0-1)

/Dewsbury-Hall 29/