‘I played for Everton before – this is likely what happened next with Michael Keane and Idrissa Gueye’
Ex-Everton defender Michael Ball has provided his insight on what would have likely happened in the aftermath of Monday’s incident between Idrissa Gana Gueye and Michael Keane at Old Trafford.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored as Everton beat Manchester United 1-0, but the headlines were dominated by an incident in the first half.
Gueye was sent off for violent conduct against Manchester United after the midfielder appeared to strike his own teammate, Keane, in the face after the pair were involved in a heated moment.
The argument started after Bruno Fernandes had shot just wide following a mix-up at the back between both players.
Gary Neville was shocked by Gueye’s reaction, but was not fully convinced that the midfielder deserved to be sent off.
Michael Ball draws from own experience in Idrissa Gueye analysis
Gueye apologised to the Everton fans with a message on social media, explaining that emotions had run high on the night.
The midfielder also apologised to Keane, taking full responsibility for the incident that had left the Toffees with 10 men for the vast majority of the game.
| Manchester United | Match stats | Everton |
| 70% | Possession | 30% |
| 25 | Shots | 3 |
| 6 | Shots on target | 1 |
| 1.71 | Expected goals (xG) | 0.21 |
| 9 | Corners | 1 |
Everton prevailed regardless, with Dewsbury-Hall’s incredible strike marking the difference between the sides.
The Englishman spoke after the game and confirmed that Gueye had apologised in the dressing room after the final whistle.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo on Wednesday, former Everton defender Ball shared a similar event that he had experienced as a player.
“I’ve done it in training, my team-mates have done it,” the former England international explained.
“I was part of an Everton team when Richard Gough and Don Hutchison had an incident at Goodison Park against Coventry City, but it was nipped in the bud so quickly, I can’t really remember anything about that incident. After the game it was spoken about, but it wasn’t really spoken about on the pitch.
“Afterwards, those two went out for a meal and were friends again and I’d expect something similar with Gueye and Keane who have been a couple of our best performers so far this season and were just showing that they want the best for their team.”
David Moyes provides interesting viewpoint on Everton incident
Monday’s incident was understandably easier to take for David Moyes because his team secured the three points, even without Gueye.
Speaking after the game, he said: “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.”
“Fighting is not a bad thing,” he added. “Fighting doesn’t mean that they don’t like each other. Fighting is that you lose the ball [so] I will fight you because we will suffer a goal. That was how I felt when I watched. And I don’t agree with the sending off.”
What the Scot will be frustrated about, however, is the fact that Gueye is now suspended for Sunday’s clash with Newcastle United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Tim Iroegbunam set to replace the Senegal international in the line-up.
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