Everton Teammates Give Applause to Idrissa Gueye Following Sincere Apology for Keane Slap

The Everton midfielder was given a warm ovation from his Everton teammates after issuing an explanation for his extraordinary red card during the recent triumph at Old Trafford.

Unprecedented Incident in English Football

The midfielder earned the distinction of being the first Premier League player to be sent off for hitting a fellow player in nearly two decades when he struck Michael Keane during the match. Everton's performance was remarkable as they competed with 10 men for 85 minutes, including added time, to secure David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.

'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' he wrote on his accounts. 'I accept complete responsibility for my actions.'

Team Reaction

Gueye did not get an chance to speak with Moyes or his colleagues at half-time. Afterwards, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the narrow victory, the veteran asked to address the whole team and the defender in particular.

• Gueye apologized to Keane for slapping him across the face
• The heated 13th-minute altercation occurred after a poor distribution in his own defensive third
• Additionally he apologized to the squad for leaving them with a difficult challenge
• His apology were positively accepted by the squad

Potential Consequences

The 36-year-old could still be punished by Everton despite Moyes' statement that he likes his team members competing with each other. Moyes has a regular disciplinary procedure for red and yellow cards, including financial penalties, which is likely to be implemented in Gueye's case.

Ban and National Team Commitments

The Merseyside club could be without their influential midfielder until the January. The Senegalese international will serve a three-game suspension against Newcastle, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be selected for Africa Cup of Nations duty by Senegal before he becomes eligible to play against Chelsea on 13 December.

'Passions can sometimes overflow,' Gueye continued. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'

Rival Reaction

At the same time, the Manchester United defender accused United of lacking immediacy in the recent loss, which ended their winning streak at multiple matches.

• 'English football doesn't tolerate weakness,' said the Dutch defender
• 'We were missing the necessary intensity to find the net'
• 'When facing sides like Everton,' that defend deep it's difficult

The Red Devils head to Selhurst Park for Sunday's noon kickoff. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' commented De Ligt. 'We must recover strongly from this display.'