Teammate fight at Old Trafford: Idrissa Gana Gueye sent off for slapping Michael Keane first-half red card leads to dramatic 1-0 win for Everton FC over Manchester United

In a rare and shocking moment of intra-team violence during the Premier League match on 24 November 2025, Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye was shown a straight red card just 13 minutes in for striking teammate Michael Keane in the face — the first such dismissal in the Premier League in over 15 years.

Referee Tony Harrington did not hesitate: after a heated exchange following a misplaced pass by Gueye, the midfielder slapped Keane, prompting an immediate red card confirmed by VAR.

Despite the setback and playing almost the entire game with ten men, Everton held firm and secured a 1-0 away win at Old Trafford — a rare feat: the goal was scored by Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall in the 29th minute.

After the final whistle, Gueye publicly apologized — both in the dressing room and via social media — to Keane, his teammates, staff and fans, acknowledging full responsibility for his actions. His apology was reportedly accepted by the squad, who gave him a round of applause.

The incident has sparked a wide debate across the football community. Some pundits, including Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, argued the red card was harsh and that a yellow could have sufficed.

Nonetheless, according to the rules, striking anyone — even a teammate — above the neck qualifies as violent conduct and mandates dismissal.

Gueye now faces a likely three-match suspension, which may sideline him for upcoming Premier League fixtures and potentially affect his participation in the national team’s next call-up.

For Everton, the result — a win with ten men at Old Trafford — stands as a testament to resilience. But the red-card drama will likely overshadow the sporting achievement and remain a talking point across media outlets in the coming days.