The Referee's Swift Decision: David Moyes Stunned by Idrissa Gueye Red Card Drama
Everton manager David Moyes found himself in disbelief as Idrissa Gueye was red-carded for an on-field altercation with his team-mate during a thrilling 1-0 victory over Manchester United. Despite the setback, Everton's resilience shone through, securing a historic win at Old Trafford.

Everton boss David Moyes admitted he was stunned by Idrissa Gueye’s bizarre red card after the midfielder slapped team-mate Michael Keane during a dramatic 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Toffees were forced to dig deep with 10 men but still secured a famous victory, leaving Moyes balancing frustration at the dismissal with admiration for his side’s resilience.Everton’s trip to Old Trafford produced one of the most surreal moments of the Premier League season when Gueye was sent off just 13 minutes into the match for slapping his own team-mate, Keane, during an explosive on-field altercation. The two players clashed after a stray Gueye pass led to a Manchester United chance, and referee Tony Harrington immediately brandished a red card after the Senegal midfielder appeared to slap Keane.Despite the chaos, Everton regrouped impressively as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall drove forward on the counter and fired home a superb strike to give the Toffees the lead before half-time. With Old Trafford expecting a second-half siege against 10 men, the Toffees instead dug in, defended with remarkable organisation, and frustrated United’s increasingly desperate attempts to equalise.Everton’s resolve held firm as Manchester United squandered chances through Bruno Fernandes, Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo. Jordan Pickford produced multiple key saves, and the Toffees escaped with a historic victory; Moyes’ first Premier League win at Old Trafford as an away manager after 17 unsuccessful attempts with Everton, West Ham and Sunderland.Moyes admitted he was taken aback by the dismissal and felt the referee acted too swiftly under the circumstances. “If nothing happened, I don’t think anyone in the stadium would have been surprised. I thought the referee could have taken a bit longer to think about it. I got told that the rules of the game that if you slap your own player, you could be in trouble.”He explained that confrontation between team-mates does not automatically trouble him as a manager. “But there's another side to it: I like my players fighting each other, if someone didn't do the right action. If you want that toughness and resilience to get a result, you want someone to act on it.”The Everton boss also revealed that Gueye addressed the situation immediately after the match. “He’s apologised for the sending off. He’s praised the players and thanked them for it and apologised for what happened.”Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!The incident overshadowed a gritty Everton performance in a match that threatened to unravel early. Seamus Coleman had already been forced off injured just minutes into his first start in two months, and the combination of losing their captain and going down to 10 men appeared to put Everton in a vulnerable position. Yet the team responded with a collective sharpness, reorganising defensively and committing to a compact shape that United struggled to break down.Moyes highlighted his team’s mentality in his broader post-match reflections, praising their structure and resilience. He acknowledged the significance of winning at Old Trafford, particularly under such challenging conditions, noting that Everton “showed the toughness behind the scenes” that had carried them through recent adversity. The performance embodied the “resilience and discipline” he expects from his squad, especially when facing an opponent in strong form.For Everton, the focus now shifts to building momentum from a victory that could serve as a turning point in their campaign. After a mixed start to the Premier League season, the Toffees will look to maintain form when they take on Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest before two tough clashes against Chelsea and Arsenal.Gueye is likely to be suspended for the Newcastle and Bournemouth clashes. However, if Everton decide to hand him a further punishment, his return could be pushed into the festive period.
The Shocking Incident
In a bizarre turn of events, Idrissa Gueye was sent off just 13 minutes into the match after slapping his own team-mate, Michael Keane, following a mistake that led to a Manchester United chance. Referee Tony Harrington wasted no time in brandishing a red card, leaving both teams and fans stunned.
Everton's Resilient Response
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Everton rallied together as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's brilliant goal put them in the lead. The Toffees defended superbly, frustrating United's attempts to find an equalizer. Jordan Pickford's heroics in goal ensured Everton held on for a memorable win.
Moyes' Thoughts on the Incident
David Moyes expressed surprise at the swift decision to send off Gueye and believed the referee could have taken more time to assess the situation. The Everton boss, known for valuing team toughness, acknowledged the need for accountability but also highlighted the players' dedication and unity.
Building Momentum
With the victory at Old Trafford, Everton now aim to build on their momentum in upcoming fixtures against Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest. Moyes' side will face tougher challenges ahead, looking to harness the resilience and discipline displayed in their landmark win.



