David Moyes defended Idrissa Gueye following the Everton midfielder’s red card for an altercation with his teammate during the team’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Monday, stating he appreciates players who show passion for the game.
Gueye was sent off just 13 minutes into the match after confronting teammate Michael Keane, slapping him during a dispute over a misplaced pass that presented Bruno Fernandes with a shot opportunity he missed.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Everton took the lead with a goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the 29th minute. The team then held firm against a frustrated United side, ending their five-game unbeaten streak.
“I appreciate my players showing that kind of passion if someone wasn’t performing at their best. You need that grit and resilience to secure a result,” Moyes remarked.
“Had the incident not occurred, I don’t believe anyone in the stadium would have been surprised. I thought the referee might have taken a moment longer to consider the situation. I was informed that under the rules, slapping a teammate could lead to a card,” he added.
“I am disappointed about the sending off. We’ve been players ourselves, and emotions can run high with teammates. He has since apologized for his actions and expressed his gratitude towards the team,” Moyes said.
Moyes revealed that Gueye, 36, had taken responsibility and apologized to his teammates after the match: “There are no issues; we just move forward.”
Gueye took to Instagram following the game, saying, “I want to extend my apologies to Michael Keane as I take full responsibility for my actions. I also apologize to my teammates, the staff, the fans, and the club. Emotions can run high, but such behavior is unacceptable.”
It was particularly significant for Moyes, who had never won in 17 previous visits to Old Trafford as the opposing manager. “If you had told me that we would get a result after being reduced to ten men, especially while the score was still level, I would have found that hard to believe,” he remarked. “The players put on an exceptional performance.”
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“The resilience, tenacity, and commitment from the squad were remarkable, not to mention a fantastic goal.”
In contrast, Ruben Amorim expressed disappointment with his own players, who seemed less competitive against a ten-man Everton side. He noted a lack of intensity in their performance, especially in the first half. “From the start, you could sense the difference,” he said.
“Fighting amongst teammates isn’t inherently negative,” he commented. “It just means needing to put in the effort if you lose the ball because we’re all in this together. I don’t agree with the red card. While I understand it’s considered violent conduct according to the referee’s explanation, I still disagree.
“I hope that when my players lose the ball, they put that same level of fight into their responses, but without the fear of being sent off! It’s a good attitude to have, not a bad one.”
The defeat left United sitting in 10th place, whereas a win could have propelled them into the top five.
“I am aware of our current situation,” Amorim acknowledged. “I’ve sensed this during the current run, and I’ve discussed it—we’re not even close to competing for the league’s top positions. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”