HEARTFELT APOLOGY: IDRISSA GUEYE APOLOGIZES TO KEANE AND EARNS TEAMMATES' PRAISE IN THE DRESSING ROOM
Idrissa Gueye apologises to Everton teammates after being sent off for slapping Michael Keane. The 10-man Toffees heroically beat Man United 1-0, earning Gueye a dressing room ovation for his remorse.
After Idrissa Gueye's odd red card in Monday's game versus Manchester United, he got a good response from the Everton team when he said he was sorry.
When he struck Michael Keane at Old Trafford, the midfielder became the first Premier League player in 17 years to be ejected for hitting a teammate. To give David Moyes his first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in 18 tries and the club's second victory at United in 33 years, Everton played like heroes with just 10 men for 85 minutes, including stoppage time.
Gueye didn't have a chance to speak with Moyes or his teammates at halftime. Later, in the jubilant away locker room after the 1-0 victory, the Senegal international requested to speak to the entire group, including Keane. For slapping the defender in the face, Gueye said he was sorry. A misplaced pass inside his own box by the midfielder, which gave Bruno Fernandes a chance, was the reason for their tense argument in the 13th minute. He also said sorry to the team for giving them a huge challenge at Old Trafford and expressed gratitude for their success. The team responded well to Gueye's remarks and gave him a round of applause.
Even though Moyes admitted that he likes my players fighting each other, Everton may still punish the 36-year-old. The Scot follows a set of rules when it comes to red and yellow cards, which includes fines, and it's probable that this will be used in Gueye's situation.
The new year could arrive without Everton's star midfielder. Gueye will be suspended for three games against Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest; however, before he is eligible to play against Chelsea on December 13, Senegal may call him up for Africa Cup of Nations duty. Senegal's opening game is set for December 23, and clubs are free to release players two weeks before a tournament starts. However, Everton has not yet been informed by Senegal of a release date.
Gueye posted an apology on social media as well in response to Everton's extremely amazing victory. He stated, I want to first apologise to Michael Keane. I accept full accountability for my actions. I also apologise to my colleagues, the staff, the supporters, and the club. My actions do not represent who I am or what I believe in. Emotions can get the better of you, but nothing can excuse such conduct. I will see to it that it never occurs again.
Mathijs de Ligt, in the meantime, said United lacked urgency in Monday's defeat, which brought their five-game winning streak to an end. The Dutch defender stated, The Premier League is not for the weak. If they score after one chance and we don't, that makes the difference. The difference between winning and losing is efficiency.
That was lacking in us. We lacked the drive to score goals and create opportunities, and playing a team like Everton, which is strong in the air and falls back, will be extremely challenging. That more or less sums up the evening.
United will play Crystal Palace on Sunday at noon. De Ligt stated, The next game is now very important. We must rally after this performance. We had some strong performances in the last few weeks, but now we have a terrible one. I believe we can all agree on that. Now, it is up to us to return, remain united, and make it clear what needs to be improved.
DERBY OUTRAGE: PETER BANKES DOUBLES DOWN ON DISALLOWED KOLO MUANI GOAL DESPITE MASSIVE CRITICISM
Referee verdict: Discover why Peter Bankes disallowed Kolo Muani’s goal and Keith Hackett’s "stupid and soft" reaction.
Referee Peter Bankes stood by his call to disallow Randal Kolo Muani’s equaliser in the North London derby, calling it “a very, very clear offence.”
The moment sparked outrage. Gabriel, Arsenal’s defender, hit the deck after Muani’s challenge in the box. Former Premier League referees’ chief Keith Hackett didn’t hold back, calling the decision “stupid and soft".
Bankes didn’t hesitate. He blew for a foul, ruled out the goal, and VAR stayed out of it, even as Spurs fans fumed. That goal would’ve levelled it at 2-2.
Bankes explained on the Match Officials Mic’d Up show: “I was exactly where I needed to be for a cross from the right. I saw the Tottenham player put two hands into the back of the Arsenal player. That’s what grabbed my attention. When you see that live, it looks like a straightforward push – a clear foul.
“I held off on the whistle to let play run, then made the call after the ball went in. That way, VAR could step in if I’d missed something or if it looked off. But honestly, on the pitch, it looked obvious.
“I’m still comfortable with my decision. Sure, things can look different at different speeds; slow motion isn’t the same as seeing it live. But I got one look, and I was confident the two hands on the back had enough impact to be a foul.
“I know people will split on this, but I’m comfortable. That’s a free kick for me.”
The decision was a huge break for Arsenal, who ended up winning 4-1. As far as Spurs fans were concerned, Gabriel got away with one.
Ex-Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher backed Bankes up: “The on-field decision always stands. The ref saw enough for a push. VAR isn’t going to overturn that when the evidence is there.”
THE GIBBS-WHITE PROJECT: WHY MANCHESTER UNITED SEE THE FOREST STAR AS THEIR NEXT PLAYMAKER
United transfer hub. Get the report on wage bill cuts, the Forest playmaker, and City’s rival interest.
Manchester United still have a bit of a wait before the summer transfer window opens, but talk around Old Trafford is already heating up. People keep linking United with all kinds of new signings for when the season wraps up.
Michael Carrick has made quite the impression as United’s interim head coach so far. The club handed him the reins until the end of the season, and honestly, he’s done well with the opportunity.
Still, no one really knows who’ll be in charge next season. That uncertainty just adds fuel to the rumours about which players United will chase in the transfer market.
Right now, everything hinges on Champions League qualification. United sit fourth in the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Everton on Monday night. That spot could make all the difference for summer plans.
Morgan Gibbs-White's claim
Now, United have reportedly joined the hunt for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The Daily Mail says United are keeping an eye on the Forest playmaker, maybe even lining up a summer move.
But there’s a snag: United want to bring down their wage bill, and that could make signing Gibbs-White tricky.
Manchester City are also said to be interested, and Tottenham apparently tried to sign the 26-year-old with a £60 million offer, but that move fell apart.
Man United's Scott McTominay stance
As for Scott McTominay, it sounds like United aren’t planning a reunion. Despite recent talk about bringing the Napoli midfielder back, TEAMtalk reports United aren’t interested, and the idea hasn’t even come up in the recruitment department.
Napoli now values McTominay at close to £70 million, just a year and a half after he left United for around £25 million. He made the move to Italy in the summer of 2024 and, in his first season, helped Napoli win the Serie A title.
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