Everton’s superb win over Manchester United yesterday was marred by a red card to midfielder Idrissa Gueye for slapping teammate Michael Keane as early as the 13th minute of the Premier League match in Manchester.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Everton held on to a brilliant Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall strike in the 29th minute, to hand United a frustrating defeat. The second half, especially, saw the hosts launching a barrage of attacks but they failed to get past Everton’s England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. It was a setback for the Red Devils, who had not lost since the 1-3 defeat at Brentford almost two months ago. It was also the first time in 47 Premier League matches that a visiting team has beaten them at Old Trafford with 10 men.
But, the highlight of the match was the altercation between Gueye and Keane. The Senegalese midfielder recovered the ball inside Everton's penalty area and passed it into space hoping Keane would pick up the pass. But the English defender didn’t and United captain Bruno Fernandes stepped in and took a shot. Though the ball went wide, the two Everton players got into an argument. Keane pushed Gueye, who responded with a left-handed slap, prompting referee Tony Harrington to show Gueye a red card. Pickford and winger Iliman Ndiaye intervened, and escorted Gueye away.
Gueye, however, issued an apology after the game. “I want to apologize first to my teammate Michael Keane. I take full responsibility for my reaction,” he said on his Instagram account. "I also apologize to my teammates, the staff, the fans and the club.
“What happened does not reflect who I am or the values I stand for. Emotions can run high, but nothing justifies such behavior. I'll make sure it never happens again.”
This is not the first time a player was sent off for violent conduct against a teammate in a Premier League match.
On December 28, 2008, Ricardo Fuller of Stoke City was sent off for slapping his teammate and captain, Andy Griffin, during the match. The latter slipped, allowing Carlton Cole to equalise for West Ham United, leading to a scuffle between Fuller and Griffin.
And on April 2, 2005, Lee Bowyer of Newcastle United was sent off for fighting with his teammate, Kieron Dyer, during a match against Aston Villa. Both players got a red card for the same incident. In fact, Villa midfielder Gareth Barry stepped in to separate them. Dyer was banned for three games and Bowyer suspended for seven matches.