In a truly bizarre turn of events, Everton had a man sent off in their Premier League Monday night fixture against Manchester United after Idrissa Gana Gueye was shown a red card for hitting his own teammate. The midfielder became embroiled in a spat with Michael Keane following a mix-up between the two.
The hosts had just fashioned a chance for themselves through Bruno Fernandes, who capitalised on Gueye's wayward pass which was intended for Keane. Although the Red Devils' captain fired wide of the mark, tempers then flared between the Senegalese international and his teammate as they argued over who was at fault.
Things became heated between the pair, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford needing to step in and keep them apart. But everyone in attendance at Old Trafford was left baffled after referee Tony Harrington then showed Gueye a straight red card.
Virgil van Dijk, Declan Rice and Bruno Fernandes with the Premier League logo and a Premier League-themed background Related
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Premier League Clarify Gueye's Sending Off
Everton's Idrissa Gueye is held back by teammates Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Jordan Pickford
Premier League - Manchester United v Everton - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 24, 2025 Everton's Idrissa Gueye is held back by teammates Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Jordan Pickford after being shown a red card by referee Tony Harrington REUTERS/Phil Noble
The incident left Gueye enraged, as he was wrestled to the tunnel by Pickford. And replays clearly showed that the midfielder had slapped his teammate.
Check out the replays below:
According to the Premier League rulebook, "a player who, when not challenging for the ball, deliberately strikes an opponent or any other person on the head or face with the hand or arm, is guilty of violent conduct unless the force used was negligible." Questions will be raised about whether Gueye's strike was indeed 'negligible', but both the referee and VAR believed his actions fell into the bracket of 'violent conduct'.
The Premier League Match Centre's account on X then clarified exactly why a straight red had been shown, stating: "The referee’s call of red card to Gueye for violent conduct was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the action deemed to be a clear strike to the face of Keane."
Everton Take Lead Following Incident
Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in action with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall opened the scoring against Manchester United. Credit: REUTERS/Phil Noble
Despite being reduced to 10-men, Everton still showed plenty of spirit against their opponents, and went on to take a surprising lead just minutes after Gueye's sending off. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, receiving the ball in the pocket, turned and drove at goal, beating Fernandes and Leny Yoro before curling a strike into the top corner.
The Toffees will have an immense task on their hands if they are to cling on to secure all three points, with United likely to push forward and pin the Toffees back. The likes of Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo all have the quality to make the visitors pay for Gueye's moment of madness.