Everton beat Manchester United 1-0 on Monday night as Idrissa Gana Gueye picked up a bizarre red card at Old Trafford.
Everton have won at Old Trafford for the first time in 12 years, but the manner of the victory was a little unconventional.
Idrissa Gana Gueye was given his marching orders in the first half, having appeared to strike teammate Michael Keane after an argument.
Everton didn’t allow that moment to ruin the evening, though, as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall rifled a fine strike beyond Senne Lammens.
The Toffees held out with 10 men to claim a famous victory and leave United fans booing at the final whistle.
Who was your MOTM vs Man United?
Ruben Amorim on Idrissa Gana Gueye’s red card in Everton win
Gueye apologised on social media after the final whistle, but must now serve a suspension for violent conduct.
This was not Gueye’s finest moment, but United boss Ruben Amorim appeared to have some sympathy.
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Speaking to the media after the final whistle, as captured by Beanyman Sports, Amorim admitted that he doesn’t actually think Gueye should have been sent off.
Amorim believes that fighting is actually a good thing, and he would love his United players to fight each other if they make mistakes.
Everton teammates Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane go head to head.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
The United boss noted that Gueye’s actions go down as violent conduct, but he thinks the Everton man should have stayed on the pitch.
“Fighting is not a bad thing,” said Amorim. “Fighting doesn’t mean that they don’t like each other. Fighting is that… ‘you lose the ball, I will fight you, because we will suffer a goal’. That was my feeling when I watched.
“I don’t agree with that sending off. I am going to say that. I know it’s violent conduct, the referee explained. I don’t agree with that. I hope my players, when they lose the ball, they fight each other. That is a good feeling, not a bad feeling,” he added.
Should Gueye have been sent off?
Idrissa Gana Gueye may have played his final Everton game of 2025
Gueye must now serve a three-match ban, meaning he will miss Everton’s games against Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.
Gueye would be eligible to return when Everton travel to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 13 December.
However, the Africa Cup of Nations begins on 21 December, and Gueye will be part of the Senegal squad.
Much will now depend on when Senegal expect Gueye to join up with them ahead of their tournament kick-off.
Senegal face Botswana on 23 December, and may ideally want Gueye in training well in advance of that game.
That means Gueye could yet miss the trip to Chelsea, and his spat with Keane could be his final action of 2025 in an Everton shirt.
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