Everton produced an outstanding performance to beat Manchester United on Monday night – and Connor O'Neill reflects on a night that will live long in the memory
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Michael Keane, Jack Grealish, Jake O'Brien and James Garner celebrate with Everton's supporters following the win over Manchester United
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Michael Keane, Jack Grealish, Jake O'Brien and James Garner celebrate with Everton's supporters following the win over Manchester United
View 3 Images
Everton supporters have heard and seen it all before. When your last win against your opponents at their own ground came 12 years ago, you tend to stop listening when you are told this is your best chance to end what can only be described as an embarrassing run.
After all, the worst United team in recent memory managed to comfortably beat Everton 4-0 at home last season. And when one of your own players is sent off for slapping his own team-mate with less than 15 minutes on the clock, you really start to think this isn’t going to be your night.
In fact, you start to think, 'Here we go again'. Another opportunity is going to pass Everton by, and it will end up being another case of 'What if?'
Having watched Sunderland win at Stamford Bridge and Nottingham Forest beat Liverpool at Anfield already this season, Everton supporters have been right to feel envious.
Victories away at the traditional 'Big Six' have not even been hard to come by in recent years; they have instead been non-existent.
You hope things will change; there has long been talk of a mentality change, but doubt always finds a way to creep in. It is the hope that ultimately kills you.
And then that fatal moment arrives with just 13 minutes gone. Idrissa Gueye was given his marching orders for slapping team-mate Michael Keane.
A remarkable flashpoint and the sort of incident that you just don’t see. But, in many ways, it was very Everton.
From there you think, 'Well, there is the self-inflicted setback, and that will be that'. We all think we know what will come next.
Idrissa Gueye clashes with teammate Michael Keane resulting in a red card for Gueye during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton.
Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane clashed in the first half of Everton's Premier League clash vs Man United.
View 3 Images
Only there is a curveball. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall fires the Blues ahead, and Everton now have something to hold onto.
A wonderful goal that is a reward for Everton’s brave approach after going down to 10-men. But you can’t get too carried away; there is still a long way to go.
But it was after the half-time break when you really started to believe that the unthinkable could be about to occur.
Everton are defending well and United look lacklustre, to say the least. The home crowd are starting to get frustrated, and the groans are becoming louder.
At home Blues supporters find themselves sitting on the couch starting to believe.
Then all of a sudden you are brought back down to earth as Jordan Pickford makes a truly outstanding save to deny Joshua Zirkzee.
It would have been typical of Zirkzee to draw United level. He hasn’t scored all season, then all of a sudden pops up after being handed a rare start.
But he is denied by a save that is worthy of all three points. Pickford is again called into action. Everyone is starting to get nervous now.
Author avatar
Author avatar
Everton’s players are running their socks off. James Garner has been immense but he and his teammates are starting to tire, and David Moyes is forced to turn to his bench.
Against Sunderland last time out on a Monday night, his substitutes had little to no impact. Charly Alcaraz again comes on and tries too hard to impress.
But in the end, it doesn't matter because shortly before 10pm, referee Tony Harrington blows his whistle for full-time, and the unthinkable has indeed happened.
Everton have won for the first time at Old Trafford since December 2012, and David Moyes is left to savour his first win as a visiting manager at 'The Theatre of Dreams' in the league on his 18th attempt.
But what happens next speaks volumes. Moyes raced onto the pitch to congratulate his players on a fine performance.
The travelling army of away supporters in the corner, who have been forced to endure some appealing displays on the road in recent years, are dancing with joy.
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, Michael Keane and Jack Grealish celebrate after Everton's win over Manchester United
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, Michael Keane and Jack Grealish celebrate after Everton's win over Manchester United
View 3 Images
And who can blame them? They have every right to enjoy this.
Everton’s players continue their celebrations in the Old Trafford tunnel. Jack Grealish in particular is smiling from ear to ear as he shouted, 'Get in there!'
This has been a long time coming. A performance that epitomised everything that David Moyes wants from his team.
The sort of performance that Blues supporters haven’t witnessed since the Scot’s first spell in charge of the club.
And who knows where it could take the football club? Could this victory also unblock that psychological obstacle that has held Everton back for so long?
Who knows at this moment in time? We have been here before, of course.
But what we do know is that Everton finally took their chance on Monday night, and it has been a long time coming.