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Idrissa Gueye received a round of applause from his Everton teammates after issuing an apology for his shocking dismissal during the recent triumph at Manchester United.

Rare Incident in English Football

Gueye became the initial Premier League player to be dismissed for hitting a fellow player in 17 years when he struck his defensive colleague during the fixture. The Toffees' performance was heroic as they played with 10 men for 85 minutes, including stoppage time, to achieve David Moyes' first win at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in multiple tries.

'I want to apologise first to Michael Keane,' he wrote on his accounts. 'I take full responsibility for my reaction.'

Team Reaction

The Senegalese international was unable to secure an chance to speak with Moyes or his colleagues at half-time. Following the match, with the away dressing room buzzing after the 1-0 win, the veteran requested to address the entire group and the defender in particular.

• He expressed regret to Keane for slapping him across the head
• The heated early altercation occurred after a poor distribution in his own penalty area
• He also apologized to the squad for leaving them with a monumental task
• Gueye's words were warmly received by the players

Potential Ramifications

Gueye could still be disciplined by Everton despite Moyes' statement that he likes his players competing with each other. Moyes has a regular disciplinary procedure for red and yellow cards, including financial penalties, which is likely to be implemented in this situation.

Suspension and International Duty

The Merseyside club may find themselves without their influential player until the January. Gueye will complete a three-game ban against Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest but might be selected for Africa Cup of Nations duty by Senegal before he becomes eligible to play against Chelsea on mid-December.

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

Opposition Perspective

Meanwhile, Mathijs de Ligt accused his team of showing no immediacy in Monday's defeat, which ended their unbeaten run at five games.

• 'The Premier League is not for the weak,' stated the Netherlands international
• 'We lacked that urgency to score goals,'
• 'Against a team like Everton,' who drop back it's difficult

United head to Crystal Palace for Sunday's noon kickoff. 'Our upcoming match is absolutely crucial,' commented the defender. 'We have to bounce back from this performance.'