Anyone who has watched football long enough knows that emotions can flare, but the chaos that unfolded at Old Trafford left even seasoned fans stunned.
In front of more than 70,000 spectators, Idrissa Gueye completely lost his composure during Everton’s clash with Manchester United, and the moment quickly became the talking point of the match.
How the Trouble Started
Everything spiralled from what initially looked like a routine defensive lapse.
Gueye misplaced a pass inside his own penalty box, gifting United a dangerous opportunity that Bruno Fernandes almost converted.
When the ball drifted just wide, United players began resetting for the goal-kick, but the real explosion came from within Everton’s ranks.
Teammates Turn on Each Other
Michael Keane, clearly frustrated by the careless mistake, confronted Gueye.
What began as a stern exchange escalated quickly.
The two stood nose-to-nose, and as Keane leaned forward slightly, Gueye reacted in the worst possible way—he raised his hand and slapped Keane across the face.
Referee Tony Harrington had no hesitation. The red card appeared immediately, sending Gueye off and leaving the crowd in disbelief.
A Rare Sight in Premier League History
Moments like this almost never happen.
Gueye’s dismissal made him the first Premier League player sent off for striking a teammate since Ricardo Fuller slapped Andy Griffin back in 2008.
The incident also stirred memories of iconic teammate bust-ups like the infamous confrontation between Kieran Dyer and Lee Bowyer in 2005, and the earlier scrap involving Graeme Le Saux and David Batty during Blackburn’s Champions League match in 1995.
The Manager’s Reaction and the Aftermath
David Moyes didn’t protest the decision.
Instead, he had to ensure Gueye didn’t make the situation even worse.
Jordan Pickford and Iliman Ndiaye physically held him back as he tried to square up to Keane again before he finally stomped down the tunnel.
Oddly enough, viewers at home didn’t see the incident live—TV cameras had cut to a replay just as tempers boiled over.
The full exchange only became clear once broadcasters rolled back the footage.
What Pundits Said About the Red Card
Gary Neville, on commentary duty, argued that the referee overreacted.
He downplayed the slap, calling it more of a light tap and suggesting it wasn’t the kind of situation that automatically demanded a sending-off.
Jamie Carragher echoed Neville’s thoughts, saying the referee could have handled things differently by pulling both players aside instead of reaching straight for the rulebook.
Carragher emphasised that the laws actually give referees room to manage heated moments without resorting to a dismissal.
The Official VAR Standpoint
The Premier League Match Centre later explained on X that the red card had been thoroughly checked and confirmed by VAR.
Their view was straightforward: Gueye clearly struck Keane in the face, making the sending-off a valid decision under violent conduct.
Everton Push Ahead Despite the Drama
Surprisingly, Everton didn’t crumble with ten men.
Just thirty minutes in, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced a stunning strike that curled into the top corner, giving the Toffees the lead and shifting the momentum of the match.
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