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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.

Unprecedented Situation in Premier League

Gueye earned the distinction of being the initial Premier League player to be dismissed for hitting a teammate in nearly two decades when he slapped his defensive colleague during the match. The Toffees' performance was heroic as they played with a man down for 85 minutes, including added time, to secure David Moyes' initial victory at Old Trafford as a away coach in multiple tries.

'I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,' Gueye stated on social media. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'

Team Response

The Senegalese international did not get an opportunity to speak with Moyes or his teammates at the interval. Following the match, with the visitors' locker room celebrating after the 1-0 win, the veteran requested to speak to the whole team and the defender specifically.

• Gueye apologized to the defender for striking him across the head
• The heated 13th-minute altercation occurred after a misplaced pass in his own penalty area
• Additionally he apologized to the squad for putting them with a monumental task
• Gueye's words were positively accepted by the squad

Potential Consequences

Gueye may yet be punished by Everton despite Moyes' statement that he appreciates his team members competing with each other. The Scot has a standard punishment process for dismissals and cautions, including fines, which is expected to be implemented in Gueye's case.

Ban and International Commitments

The Merseyside club may find themselves without their key player until the new year. The Senegalese international will serve a three-match ban against Newcastle, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but could be called up for AFCON responsibilities by his national team before he becomes eligible to play against the Blues on 13 December.

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

Rival Perspective

At the same time, Mathijs de Ligt accused his team of showing no urgency in the recent loss, which halted their unbeaten run at five games.

• 'English football doesn't tolerate weakness,' stated the Netherlands international
• 'We were missing the necessary intensity to find the net'
• 'Against a team like Everton,' who drop back it becomes challenging

The Red Devils head to Selhurst Park for Sunday's noon kickoff. 'The next game is really important now,' commented the defender. 'We have to bounce back from this performance.'