🔗 Share this article

The Everton midfielder was given a round of applause from his fellow squad members after delivering an explanation for his extraordinary red card during Monday's triumph at Manchester United.

Rare Incident in English Football

The midfielder earned the distinction of being the initial Premier League player to be dismissed for striking a teammate in 17 years when he struck his defensive colleague during the fixture. The Toffees' performance was remarkable as they played with a man down for the majority of the game, including added time, to secure David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in 18 attempts.

'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' Gueye stated on his accounts. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'

Team Reaction

The Senegalese international did not get an opportunity to converse with Moyes or his colleagues at the interval. Afterwards, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the 1-0 win, the veteran asked to speak to the whole team and the defender specifically.

• Gueye apologized to the defender for slapping him across the head
• The intense early altercation occurred after a misplaced pass in his own defensive third
• Additionally he apologized to the squad for putting them with a monumental task
• His apology were positively accepted by the squad

Potential Ramifications

The 36-year-old could still be disciplined by Everton despite Moyes' admission that he appreciates his team members fighting with each other. Moyes has a regular punishment process for dismissals and cautions, including fines, which is likely to be implemented in Gueye's case.

Suspension and National Team Commitments

The Merseyside club may find themselves without their key player until the new year. Gueye will serve a three-game ban against Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Forest but might be called up for Africa Cup of Nations duty by his national team before he can return to play against the Blues on mid-December.

'Passions can sometimes overflow,' Gueye continued. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'

Opposition Reaction

At the same time, the Manchester United defender claimed his team of lacking immediacy in the recent loss, which ended their unbeaten run at five games.

• 'The Premier League is not for the weak,' said the Dutch defender
• 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
• 'Against a team like Everton,' who drop back it becomes challenging

United travel to Crystal Palace for Sunday's noon kickoff. 'The next game is really important now,' commented De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'