In a stunning and unprecedented moment of Premier League drama, Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was shown a red card for slapping his own teammate, Michael Keane, during a fiery first-half argument at Old Trafford.
The incredible incident, which occurred in the 13th minute of Everton's eventual 1-0 victory over Manchester United, saw the visitors triumph against the odds to secure their first league win at the stadium since 2013.
Dramatic Red Card Overshadows Historic Win
The match was turned on its head early on when Idrissa Gueye approached defender Michael Keane following a disagreement. After being pushed away by Keane, Gueye retaliated by slapping his teammate on the cheek. Referee Tony Harrington had no choice but to brandish a red card for violent conduct, reducing Everton to ten men.
Despite the massive setback, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the decisive goal in the 29th minute. The result was a historic one for Everton but a bitter pill for United, marking the first time they have lost a Premier League home game after an opponent received a red card.
Moyes Defends Player Passion After Apology
In a remarkable post-match defence, Everton manager David Moyes stated that he likes his players "fighting each other" if it stems from a desire to correct a mistake.
"I like my players fighting each other, if someone didn't do the right action," Moyes said. "If you want that toughness and resilience to get a result, you want someone to act on it."
He expressed disappointment with the sending-off, suggesting the referee could have taken more time, but confirmed that Gueye has apologised to the squad for the red card and praised his teammates for their resilient performance.
United's Unbeaten Run Ends Amid Self-Criticism
The defeat brought Manchester United's five-game unbeaten run to a halt. United head coach Ruben Amorim echoed Moyes's sentiment that on-pitch conflict is not necessarily a negative.
"Fighting is not a bad thing. Fighting doesn't mean that they don't like each other," Amorim stated, adding that he disagreed with the decision to send Gueye off.
However, Amorim was critical of his own team's display, admitting United "were not perfect" and acknowledging they are not yet at the level required to fight for the top positions in the league. United remain on 18 points, two behind Crystal Palace.
The match was also notable for the absence of Matheus Cunha, who was ruled out due to a head injury.
