Everton's clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford was thrown into chaos after a truly bizarre incident saw midfielder Idrissa Gueye receive a red card for slapping his own teammate.
The Bizarre On-Field Incident
The extraordinary event unfolded in the 13th minute of the Premier League fixture. A miscommunication between Gueye and central defender Michael Keane led to the Senegalese midfielder giving possession away cheaply in a dangerous area.
Following the error, tempers flared between the two Everton players. The confrontation escalated quickly as they came head-to-head inside their own 18-yard box. In a moment of sheer frustration, Gueye raised his right arm and delivered what appeared to be a slap to the side of Keane's face.
Referee Peter Bankes witnessed the altercation and had no hesitation in his decision, immediately showing Gueye a straight red card and reducing Everton to ten men after just 13 minutes of play.
Expert Verdicts on the Controversial Decision
The decision prompted immediate analysis from football pundits, with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher offering his perspective on Sky Sports. Carragher suggested the official could have handled the situation differently.
"I just think sometimes can the referee manage a situation a little bit?" Carragher questioned. "We're talking about a slap here. Could you just get the two of them together and say 'eh, behave yourselves'? Sort of manage the situation rather than say 'that's the rule book, I am just going off exactly that.'"
Former Everton manager Roberto Martinez also weighed in on the incident, expressing surprise at the intensity of the reaction between teammates. Martinez stated the referee had no alternative given the current laws of the game.
"Clearly it's a misunderstanding," Martinez explained. "Gueye is trying to play the ball but it's that reaction here, that slap, open hand. I think the referee has no other choice. When you see it there, the law tells you any aggression above the neck is a red card."
Implications for Everton and Gueye
The sending off represents a significant blow for Everton, who were forced to play the majority of the match at Old Trafford with just ten men. The incident highlights the pressure and frustration within the squad during a challenging period.
For Gueye, the straight red card likely means an automatic three-match suspension, ruling him out of crucial upcoming fixtures. The bizarre nature of the dismissal – one player striking his own teammate – is almost unprecedented in Premier League history and will undoubtedly be a major talking point in post-match analysis.
Both pundits acknowledged that while the incident was strange, the referee's decision was technically correct according to the letter of the law regarding violent conduct, particularly any contact made above the neck area.
