Everton are going to have to deal without Idrissa Gana Gueye being available for selection in midfield following his sending off.
After two consecutive victories in the Premier League, losing a player of Gueye’s importance ahead of his departure for the Africa Cup of Nations is far from ideal.
It has been the major talking point of the week in the Premier League after the Everton midfielder saw red for hitting his own teammate.
Michael Keane has forgiven Gueye following an apology in front of his teammates in the Old Trafford dressing room.
Securing those three points against Manchester United has certainly helped to ease the frustration away from the Senegal international.
However, he could be set for an internal punishment, which may be pushed through by David Moyes as the final word on the sending off.
Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
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Everton planning final Idrissa Gana Gueye punishment
Keane and Gueye have laughed off in the incident at Finch Farm, with a joking boxing match during a recent training session.
Gueye will now miss the next three games, but further punishment could be headed his way over the coming weeks.
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According to the Daily Mail, it is now ‘likely’ that Gueye is going to have to foot the bill for a team meal at a chosen restaurant.
This is the perfect response to their scuffle at Old Trafford!
Considering the situation he put his teammates in on Monday evening, the Senegalese midfielder is probably getting away with it lightly.
However, this just goes to show the strong morale inside Finch Farm currently following their recent results.
Moyes is open to playing Charly Alcaraz and Dwight McNeil in midfield, with his options now extremely limited due to suspension and injuries.
Saturday’s game against Newcastle United will hopefully draw a line in the sand for the Everton veteran.
David Moyes admits Everton’s appeal was rejected by PGMOL
Speaking to Everton News, Mark Clattenburg agreed with Gueye’s sending off due to the wording of the rules.
Everton had nothing to lose in appealing Gueye’s red card, but it was quickly rejected by the PGMOL.
Idrissa Gana Gueye’s sending off is only the third time a player has been red carded for striking his own teammate. The most infamous incident was Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer both being sent off for Newcastle vs Aston Villa in 2005, whilst Stoke City’s Ricardo Fuller had a similar fate for acting out against Andy Griffin in 2008.
Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
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“What has it become now that team-mates are having an argument and you are sending them off? At the moment we have not had a reason back for why it has not been successful,” said Moyes on Friday.
As a result, Everton will consider recalling Harrison Armstrong from Preston North End in January, but they would ideally like him to remain in the Championship.
It is certainly a headache that Moyes could have done without.
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