Everton faced a bizarre and costly setback during their Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford, as midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking his own teammate.
The Bizarre On-Field Incident
The match took a surreal turn early on when a disagreement between two Everton players escalated dramatically. Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card after an altercation with fellow Toffee, defender Michael Keane. The incident, which was witnessed by the match official, involved Gueye slapping Keane, forcing goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to intervene and separate the two players.
The referee did not hesitate in brandishing the red card for violent conduct. The decision was then reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which confirmed the on-field call. The Premier League Match Centre officially stated on X that the action was deemed to be "a clear strike to the face of Keane."
Immediate Reaction and Consequences
Speaking on Sky Sports commentary, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville described the scene as "unsavoury." He noted that while Keane did not react aggressively, Gueye had approached him and initiated the contact. Neville praised Jordan Pickford for his quick action in diffusing the situation.
The immediate consequence of the red card was that Everton were forced to play the remainder of the match against Manchester United with only ten men. However, the longer-term punishment is more severe. A sending-off for violent conduct carries an automatic three-match ban. This means Gueye will miss Everton's upcoming Premier League fixtures against Newcastle United (home), Bournemouth (away), and Nottingham Forest (home).
Extended Absence for Everton
This suspension could not have come at a worse time for the Merseyside club. Gueye is now expected to be unavailable for a significant period. He could make his return to the squad for the match against Chelsea on 13 December.
Compounding the issue is Gueye's international duty. The midfielder is set to represent Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on Sunday, 21 December. This tournament could see him remain unavailable for Everton until mid-January, meaning he is likely to miss the league clash with Arsenal on 20 December and potentially the game against Chelsea the week before, depending on his departure date for the tournament in Morocco.
In a display of resilience, Everton took the lead in the 29th minute through summer signing Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, giving the ten-man side a precious advantage to defend.
