Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card after striking fellow Toffees defender Michael Keane during their 1-0 success at Manchester United. The confrontation erupted in the 13th minute, moments after Bruno Fernandes nearly found the net for the hosts.
Keane pushed Gueye twice as they argued, prompting the Senegal international to respond with an open-handed hit to his colleague’s face. Jordan Pickford stepped in to divide the pair before referee Tony Harrington issued the dismissal for violent conduct.
After the match, David Moyes admitted he appreciated the intensity shown by his squad. The Everton manager said he wanted players who challenge each other if standards slip.
He added that a strong mentality is essential for a side aiming to compete. Moyes also noted that Gueye accepted his error in front of the group and received applause for doing so.
Gueye later posted an apology on social media. He addressed Keane directly, acknowledging full responsibility for the incident. He also expressed regret to the entire squad, club staff, and supporters.
The midfielder stated that the outburst did not reflect his character and promised it would not occur again.
Mixed reactions to the red card decision
The Premier League’s Match Centre announced that VAR had confirmed the referee’s decision, citing a clear strike to Keane’s face.
Rules regarding violent conduct classify such contact to the head or face as a sending-off offense unless the force is minimal. However, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said he disagreed with the decision even though he understood the explanation. He stated that teammates can argue in the heat of competition.
Opta reported that this was only the third recorded Premier League case, since 2000-01, of a player being dismissed for a dispute with a colleague.
Previous occurrences involved Newcastle’s Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer in 2005 and Stoke’s Ricardo Fuller with Andy Griffin in 2008. The rarity of such incidents added further attention to the moment.
Pundits and former officials later weighed in on the situation.
Former goalkeeper Joe Hart suggested something deeper may have preceded the confrontation. He said the referee seemed to act quickly despite being too far to hear the exchange.
Hart praised Pickford for intervening and argued that the dismissal seemed harsh based on the visible action alone. He insisted that the referee’s interpretation implied underlying tension between the players.
Ex-assistant referee Darren Cann described the episode as unusual. He noted that Harrington was well-positioned and saw Gueye make contact with Keane’s face.
Cann explained that Keane’s shove did not meet the threshold for violent conduct, as it was directed at the chest. He added that the defender’s action appeared more like an attempt to create space than an aggressive strike.
Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez said he was surprised by the altercation. He believed the referee had no alternative, given the regulations.
Jamie Carragher questioned whether the official could have managed the confrontation without resorting to a dismissal. Yet he acknowledged that the written laws support the referee’s decision.
Gary Neville argued that a caution might have been sufficient. He felt the situation did not approach the seriousness of the Bowyer-Dyer fight.
Neville described the incident as relatively mild despite the visible disagreement. He added that Gueye’s strongest reaction came after the card was shown.
Everton secure important win with ten men
Despite losing Gueye early, Everton claimed the victory through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s finish in the 29th minute. The midfielder called the clash a brief lapse in judgement.
He said Gueye apologized to the squad and stressed that the group had already moved past it. Dewsbury-Hall added that the challenge of playing a man down helped bring the squad together.
The result gave Everton consecutive league wins and moved them to 11th, edging above Liverpool on goal difference. It also marked Moyes’ first Premier League win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager.
He said the team spent much of the match under pressure but showed determination. Moyes highlighted the significance of the achievement, noting that he had never managed it with a full team before.
Everton supporters travelled in strong numbers and were rewarded with a resilient performance. Moyes praised their contribution to the atmosphere.
He emphasized the effort required to preserve the lead across more than eighty minutes with ten players. The Scot concluded that the squad demonstrated character in a difficult environment.
