The ECHO takes a look at some of the moments beyond the headlines from Everton's 1-0 win at Manchester United
Michael Keane celebrates with fans alongside teammates following victory in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton. Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Michael Keane celebrates with fans alongside teammates following victory in the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton. Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
View Image
Everton left Old Trafford with the rarest of wins after a brilliant display against Manchester United. David Moyes’ side became the first team to triumph at the famous old stadium with 10 men in the Premier League era.
In doing so it ended Moyes' drought as an away manager at his former club, on the 18th attempt, and secured Everton three points at the home of United for the first time since 2013.
It was a hard-earned victory but one that could prove highly significant in a year of transition. Here, the ECHO looks at some of the moments beyond the headlines of a landmark night.
England boss holds private talks with Everton stars
Thomas Tuchel held post-match chats with Jack Grealish and James Garner in the aftermath of Everton’s win over Man United. The England manager watched the game from the directors’ box as he continued to assess his options ahead of the World Cup next summer.
Two players who have not been part of his plans across the three international breaks of the season have been Grealish and Garner, both of whom have excelled for the Blues.
Moyes has pushed the claims of Garner for a first senior international call-up for weeks and Tuchel’s behind-the-scenes debrief with him outside the Old Trafford dressing rooms suggested he had landed on the former Chelsea manager’s radar.
Grealish is yet to have been called up by Tuchel but the hope he could earn a return to the England squad was a factor in his decision to join Everton on loan. The pair shared a warm embrace before holding talks.
Moyes also promoted the credentials of match-winner Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who recently ended speculation he could commit to the Republic of Ireland by telling the ECHO his ambitions lay with England.
Grealish playacting ridicules Everton red card before Keane gets his flowers
Those talks came after wild celebrations on the final whistle as Everton players, staff and supporters reacted to a famous win.
here were some tongue-in-cheek highlights among the scenes, one including Grealish walking up to Michael Keane and mock-slapping him in the face - a clear reference to the earlier incident that led to Idrissa Gueye being sent off for raising his hand to the face of the centre back.
As the Blues showed their appreciation to the away end, Keane was pushed to the front of the squad and serenaded by a round of “Keano” from the travelling supporters.
Desperate cry from the home end a symbol of Everton success
Keane had produced a colossal performance at the back as Everton staved off attack after attack from the home side.
The Blues kept clear-cut chances to a minimum though and were able to count on the heroics of Jordan Pickford when their defence was breached.
This was not a smash and grab, however, and Everton diffused pressure with spells of possession that frustrated Man Utd.
Near the end, as the away supporters built towards their final whistle crescendo, one lone voice pleaded from behind the press box: “F***ing attack!”
It was a shout of desperation that showcased how well the Blues were doing at holding back the hosts - and that it could be heard so clearly showed how effective they had been in silencing the home crowd.
Man United errors highlight Everton strength
Another symbol of Everton’s resilience was the lack of composure among the Man Utd players. Despite having the extra man they melted under the lights as the Blues prevented them from finding a way back into the game.
The first sign was on the cusp of half-time when Casemiro, under no pressure, sent a pass out for a throw-in on the halfway line. It went nowhere near a team-mate. Then there was Amad conceding a foul throw as they tried to build momentum in the second half.
Everton lost their cool in the game’s most extraordinary moment but, following Gueye’s dismissal, they were the side that maintained calm.
The other reason Grealish deserved to celebrate
Grealish yelled “Get in” as he and his team-mates celebrated the win in the tunnel and it was a cry of emotion that he had earned.
The 30-year-old is known for his attacking attributes but this was a game in which he showed what he could do when his side needed him to defend.
There have been signs of this throughout the season but he was exceptional in his work at the back, particularly in the crucial first five minutes of the second half.
That was the period at the Stadium of Light when Sunderland got an equaliser that led to them laying siege to Everton for much of the rest of the game.
At Old Trafford, Grealish may three important interventions immediately after the break and he built on that by winning a series of clever fouls that released pressure in key moments.