Each player donned boxing gloves. After striker Beto, acting as referee, signaled the start, Gueye and Keane engaged in a mock sparring session. Following their playful "fight", they embraced and laughed, officially settling their differences.
"Nothing but love here", Thierno Barry, another Everton striker, captioned a video he posted on Instagram on 27/11.
The incident occurred at the start of the Man Utd - Everton match on 24/11, when Gueye and Keane exchanged heated words following a careless defensive play. In the heat of the moment, Gueye slapped his teammate, resulting in a direct red card from the referee. After the first half concluded, the 36-year-old midfielder apologized to Keane, his other teammates, the coaching staff, and the club.
Despite playing with ten men from the 13th minute, Everton secured all three points at Old Trafford. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored the decisive goal in the 29th minute with a curling shot into the top corner of the Man Utd net. This victory propelled Everton to 11th place in the Premier League, level on 18 points after 12 rounds with Man Utd and Liverpool.
Following the tumultuous start but positive finish, coach David Moyes did not blame his two players. "I see it differently: I like my players to challenge each other when someone isn't doing what they should be doing. If you demand resilience and grit to achieve results, then you must act accordingly", Moyes stated.
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Gueye (left) slaps Keane |
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... and was shown a red card during the Man Utd - Everton match on 24/11. Photo: EPA & AFP |
... and was shown a red card during the Man Utd - Everton match on 24/11. Photo: EPA & AFP
Gueye previously played for Everton from 2016 to 2019 before moving to PSG. In 2022, the Senegalese midfielder returned to the club and continues to be a key player.
Keane began his career at Man Utd but soon moved to smaller clubs. The 32-year-old center-back has played for Everton since 2017.
Thanh Quy (via Instagram)
