Everton's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford back in November 2025 was one of the most bizarre matches of this Premier League season.
The match is infamous, of course, for the internal conflict between Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane, with the former being sent off for slapping his teammate due to what the Senegal international felt was an error by the center back that nearly led to a United goal in the early stages of the match.
Even more odd, however, was how Everton responded to going down to 10 with 73 minutes to play. The Red Devils predictably controlled possession, but the home side was going to do that anyway. But Everton nicked a goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 16 minutes later, and impressive defending from the Toffees led to taking all three points.
With United set to visit Hill Dickinson tonight, these are some lessons that David Moyes' side can learn from that win almost exactly three months ago.
Lesson 1: Don't slap your teammate
This is a little tongue-in-cheek, but also a generally valuable item to remember.
Everton's home form hasn't been good in recent weeks, while the away form, although not necessarily featuring better performances, has held the Blues' season afloat, keeping the club firmly mid-table.
Still, even at home, the pressure can mount, and the Toffees must make sure they don't succumb to that pressure and start fighting amongst themselves.
The Gana/Keane Altercation is a physical manifestation of this concept, but it should be the line of thinking regardless of whether or not anyone lashes out at his teammate with a slap ever again.
The takeaway: stick together.
Lesson 2: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall must be a focal point
The midfielder scored an excellent individual goal to give Everton the lead they would not relinquish, but it was a rather masterful performance from the first-year Toffee.
According to SofaScore, Dewsbury-Hall was the second highest rated player on the pitch for either side after Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who faced an onslaught of United shots throughout the match.
Dewsbury-Hall completed 23 of 30 passes (77%), including 13 of 19 in United's half of the pitch. His shot was not the most likely outcome, with an xGOT of just 0.42 on his single shot (with an overall xG of just 0.1). His heat map shows a player who was all over the pitch.
This has to continue, especially given the uncertainty around who'll play right back with Jake O'Brien out due to suspension.
Lessson 3: Let the game come to you
Sure, part of the massive difference in possession came down to Everton being down a man, but anyone who thought Moyes' side were going to march into Old Trafford and boss the game would have been delusional.
Unfortunately, even as the home side today, few would expect Michael Carrick's team concede the ball. Moyes will need to do what most Evertonians prefer not to see at home and lock down defensively.
It's a page out of West Ham's book, who nearly took home three points at home against United two weeks ago with little possession. It took a 90+6' goal from Benjamin Sesko to rescue the Red Devils in the end.
It's not ideal, but a smash and grab job, very similar to the win at Old Trafford, can work again for Everton, even if it isn't pretty to watch.