In a Premier League match that promised the usual intensity of Manchester United versus Everton on November 24, 2025, an extraordinary incident unfolded just 13 minutes in, with the score still 0-0. Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was sent off for striking teammate Michael Keane in the face during a heated argument, marking only the third such on-field team conflict dismissal since 2000. Referee Tony Harrington, spotting the open-handed slap after Keane’s two pushes, issued a straight red for violent conduct—upheld by VAR. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Sean Dyche’s Toffees clinched a 1-0 win via Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 29th-minute strike, but the bust-up dominated headlines. Manager David Moyes’ post-match admission—”I quite like when my players have a fight”—sparked debate on passion versus discipline in a game where unity is paramount.
Key Incident Details
- Timing: 13th minute, 0-0 at Old Trafford
- Offense: Gueye open-handed strike to Keane’s face after argument
- Referee: Tony Harrington—straight red for violent conduct
- VAR: Reviewed and upheld (clear slap)
- Outcome: Everton 1-0 Man Utd (Dewsbury-Hall 29′); Gueye 3-match ban
- Attendance: 73,661 (Old Trafford sell-out)
- Match Impact: Everton 17th (10 pts); Utd 7th (20 pts)
Gueye’s apology in the dressing room—teammates applauded—offered closure, but the rare teammate clash raises questions about Everton’s internal dynamics.
The Bust-Up: From Argument to Assault in Seconds
The flashpoint erupted after Bruno Fernandes’ threat on goal. Keane, 32, pushed Gueye (32) away twice—defensive frustration. Gueye retaliated with a slap to Keane’s face.
Pickford intervened; Harrington: Immediate red. VAR (Michael Oliver): “Clear violent conduct—strike to face.”
Gueye: Second Everton red this season (first teammate). VAR audio: “Open hand—face contact. Red.”
Moyes: “Big enough to apologize—mistake. Accepted, move on.”
Dewsbury-Hall: “Madness—but grew us. Moment of madness.”
Hart (5 Live): “Brewing—Keane shoved off; Gueye snapped.”
Cann (ex-ref): “Law clear—slap to face violent. Pushes defensive; strike not.”
Carragher: “Yellow enough—teammate slap no advantage.”
Neville: “Not Bowyer-Dyer scale—gut yellow.”
Moyes’ Philosophy: “I Quite Like When Players Fight”
Moyes’ reaction: “Quite like players fighting—toughness for winning. Someone didn’t right; accept not well enough.”
Moyes: “Resilience got result—passion necessary.”
Critics: Dangerous? Carragher: “Encourage? Risky—reds cost games.”
Dyche: “Unity key—apology big; move forward.”
Everton 2025/26: 17th (10 pts)—relegation fight; 1 win in 8.
Rare History: Third Teammate Red Since 2000
Gueye’s ejection: Third PL teammate clash red (2000-25).
- 2005: Bowyer/Dyer (Newcastle vs Villa)—mutual reds; 3-0 loss.
- 2008: Fuller/Griffin (Stoke vs West Ham)—mutual reds; 2-1 win.
- 2025: Gueye/Keane—Gueye red; 1-0 win.
Unpunished: Lloris shoving Son (Tottenham 2020); Grobbelaar pushing McManaman (Liverpool 1993); El Ghazi/Mings (Villa 2019); White/Zinchenko (Arsenal 2024).
Cann: “Context matters—law violent conduct absolute.”
Fan Divide: Passion or Pathetic?
Reactions split:
- Phil (Oxford): “Yellow fine—no advantage teammate slap.”
- Jim (Fulham): “Bowyer/Dyer since—shocking.”
- Alan (Aberdeen): “Keane should’ve defused.”
- Adam (Rotherham): “Pathetic—can’t play again. No apology big enough.”
Twitter storm: #GueyeRed trending; memes of Moyes “liking fights.”
Verdict: Bizarre Bust-Up – Passion’s Price in PL Pressure Cooker
Gueye’s teammate strike—third PL red since 2000—exposes raw emotion’s edge.
Moyes’ “quite like” philosophy: Toughness fuel—or risky?
Everton’s 1-0 grit: Unity tested, won.
PL’s human side: Fights flare—discipline decides.
