Everton’s 1–0 victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United was already impressive on paper — but the circumstances behind it made the result even more remarkable. A first-half red card for Idrissa Gana Gueye threatened to derail the Toffees, yet their response was one of discipline, resilience and organisation.
At the heart of that reaction was Michael Keane, who recovered from a bizarre early confrontation with his own teammate to deliver one of his finest displays of the season.
Everton stunned Manchester United through a long-range strike from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, then produced a backs-against-the-wall second half to frustrate Erik ten Hag’s side and secure a statement away win.
A surreal moment: Gueye’s red card for slapping Keane
The defining moment came just 13 minutes in. Gueye and Keane appeared to clash in frustration after a misplaced pass inside the Everton box. Words were exchanged — then a slap from Gueye prompted VAR intervention and a straight red card.
It was the kind of moment that can fracture a team. Instead, Everton tightened up, leaned into their defensive structure, and Keane himself remained unfazed.
Moyes: “Michael has stepped up — and we need him”
Speaking after the match, Everton boss David Moyes praised Keane’s composure and leadership during a chaotic evening at his former club.
“Michael has stepped up, and we need him,” Moyes told BBC Sport. “He’s experienced and knows how to play. He played really well tonight.”
Keane’s calmness, positioning and aerial dominance were crucial as Everton absorbed wave after wave of second-half pressure.
Keane’s resurgence has become one of Everton’s best stories
Keane entered the summer expecting to leave, with his contract ticking down and uncertainty about his role. Instead, Everton offered him a new deal — and he has become one of Moyes' most reliable performers this season.
His performance at Old Trafford reinforced that shift:
- Composed under pressure
- Vocal in organising the back line
- Unaffected by the Gueye incident
- Delivered one of his strongest defensive displays of 2025
Everton fans applauded him off the pitch, a reflection of how dramatically his stock has risen over the past four months.
Our View: Keane is playing his best football in years
Having tracked Keane’s Everton career since his 2017 move from Burnley, this season feels like the most assured version of him. In our view, the improvement isn’t accidental — it has come from stability, trust and a simplified defensive structure under Moyes.
Although some saw his summer extension as risky, other indications point differently: good coaching, clear roles and consistent selection have unlocked the Keane Everton hoped they bought eight years ago. This seems optimistic for a player who struggled for long spells, but his form speaks for itself.
From experience covering centre-backs late in their careers, defensive players can absolutely peak in their late twenties and early thirties. Keane’s current level supports that trend.
Key Insights
- Keane delivered a superb display despite early confrontation with Gueye.
- Moyes praised his leadership and experience after the 1–0 win.
- Everton’s victory was built on discipline after going down to 10 men.
- Keane’s form this season has been arguably his best since joining in 2017.
- Everton fans showed clear appreciation for his turnaround.
What’s Next
Everton will hope to build on this momentum when they return to Goodison Park next weekend. With Keane playing at this level, Moyes suddenly has a defensive platform he can depend on.
👉 Everton fans — is this the best version of Michael Keane we’ve seen?
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