Who could’ve scripted such a bizarre Premier League drama? Manchester United’s five-match unbeaten streak came crashing down with a 1-0 home defeat to Everton—an outcome made all the more extraordinary by a first-half teammate brawl that will go down in league folklore.
The chaos erupted just 13 minutes into the game. Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye lost his cool after being criticized by defender Michael Keane for a wayward pass, lashing out with a slap at his own teammate. Referee Anthony Taylor wasted no time brandishing a straight red card, sending Gueye off and marking the first time in 17 years the Premier League has witnessed a player dismissed for violent conduct against a colleague.
In a cruel twist of fate, the 10-man Toffees grew stronger as the game progressed. Just before halftime, Lewis Dobbin curled a sensational strike into the top corner from the edge of the box, giving Everton a shock lead they would defend with relentless resolve.
Despite dominating possession and enjoying a numerical advantage for over 75 minutes, Manchester United looked toothless in attack. The Red Devils unleashed 25 shots on goal—more than any team in a Premier League game this season without scoring—but failed to find a way past Jordan Pickford, who produced a series of stunning saves to deny Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
The loss marks a unwanted piece of history for United: it’s the first time they’ve been beaten at home by a team that had a player sent off, ending a 46-match unbeaten run in such scenarios. For Everton, meanwhile, the victory is nothing short of historic—they become the first side to win away at Old Trafford with 10 men in Premier League history, while also ending a 12-year winless drought against United on the road.
It was a tale of two halves in every sense: Everton’s self-inflicted chaos turned into collective resilience, while United’s overwhelming dominance crumbled under the weight of poor finishing. This Premier League “insanity to triumph” story is more absurd than any fiction—proof once again that football’s unpredictability is its greatest charm.
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