🔗 Share this article

Idrissa Gueye received a round of applause from his Everton teammates after delivering an apology for his shocking red card during Monday's victory at Old Trafford.

Rare Incident in Premier League

The midfielder earned the distinction of being the initial Premier League player to be dismissed for striking a fellow player in nearly two decades when he slapped Michael Keane during the fixture. The Toffees' display was heroic as they played with 10 men for 85 minutes, including stoppage time, to achieve David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a away coach in 18 attempts.

'I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,' Gueye stated on social media. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'

Team Reaction

The Senegalese international was unable to secure an chance to converse with the manager or his teammates at the interval. Afterwards, with the away dressing room celebrating after the narrow victory, the veteran requested to address the whole team and Keane in particular.

• He expressed regret to the defender for striking him across the face
• The intense early confrontation occurred after a poor distribution in his own penalty area
• Additionally he apologized to the squad for leaving them with a monumental task
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the squad

Possible Consequences

Gueye could still be disciplined by the club despite the manager's statement that he appreciates his players competing with each other. Moyes has a standard punishment process for dismissals and cautions, including fines, which is expected to be implemented in this situation.

Ban and National Team Commitments

Everton could be without their influential midfielder until the January. Gueye will serve a three-game ban against Newcastle, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be selected for Africa Cup of Nations duty by his national team before he can return to play against Chelsea on mid-December.

'Emotions can run high,' Gueye continued. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'

Rival Reaction

At the same time, Mathijs de Ligt accused his team of showing no immediacy in the recent loss, which ended their winning streak at five games.

• 'English football doesn't tolerate weakness,' said the Dutch defender
• 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
• 'When facing sides like Everton,' who drop back it becomes challenging

United head to Crystal Palace for the weekend lunchtime start. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' commented the defender. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'