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Idrissa Gueye was given a round of applause from his Everton teammates after issuing an apology for his extraordinary red card during the recent triumph at Manchester United.

Rare Situation in English Football

Gueye earned the distinction of being the first Premier League player to be dismissed for hitting a fellow player in 17 years when he slapped Michael Keane during the match. The Toffees' performance was heroic as they competed with 10 men for the majority of the game, including added time, to achieve David Moyes' initial victory at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.

'My first apology goes to Michael Keane,' he wrote on his accounts. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'

Team Reaction

Gueye was unable to secure an chance to converse with the manager or his teammates at half-time. Afterwards, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the narrow victory, the veteran requested to address the entire group and the defender in particular.

• Gueye apologized to the defender for slapping him across the head
• The heated 13th-minute confrontation occurred after a misplaced pass in his own defensive third
• He also apologized to the squad for putting them with a monumental task
• His apology were positively accepted by the players

Possible Consequences

The 36-year-old could still be disciplined by Everton despite the manager's admission that he likes his team members fighting with each other. The Scot has a regular punishment process for red and yellow cards, including fines, which is likely to be implemented in this situation.

Ban and National Team Commitments

The Merseyside club could be without their influential midfielder until the new year. Gueye will complete a three-game suspension against Newcastle, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be selected for AFCON duty by his national team before he can return to play against the Blues on 13 December.

'Emotions can run high,' Gueye continued. 'But nothing justifies such behaviour.'

Rival Perspective

At the same time, Mathijs de Ligt claimed his team of showing no urgency in Monday's defeat, which ended their unbeaten run at five games.

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

The Red Devils travel to Selhurst Park for the weekend lunchtime start. 'The next game is really important now,' said De Ligt. 'We have to bounce back from this performance.'