Red Mist and Blue Grit: Hackett backs Gueye red as 10-man Everton stun United

Red cards for handbags? Not this time. Idrissa Gana Gueye let the red mist descend at Old Trafford, slapping teammate Michael Keane in a needless flare-up that forced Jordan Pickford to play peacemaker. The officials reached for red, and former referees’ boss Keith Hackett says that’s exactly how the law is meant to bite — yet somehow, 10-man Everton still outfoxed Manchester United to leave the Theatre of Dreams in stunned silence.

Hackett’s hard line: no wriggle room

Hackett didn’t mince his words. Speaking to Football Insider, the ex-PGMOL chief made it clear that once Gueye struck a colleague in the face, the referee and VAR had only one card to show. He even referenced how a manager — name-checking David Moyes — would be furious to see two of his own players square up and one cross the line with a slap. In the laws, that’s violent conduct, pure and simple, and a ban follows.

The law in black and white

The Premier League’s Match Centre spelled it out: if a player, not challenging for the ball, deliberately makes contact with someone’s head or face using hand or arm, you’re into violent conduct territory unless the force is truly negligible. By that standard, Gueye’s action ticked every box for a dismissal.

Officials back the call

Former assistant referee Darren Cann chimed in on BBC Radio 5 Live to underline the point — it doesn’t matter if the target is an opponent, a teammate or even a spectator; the category is the same. This wasn’t a playful tap; it was a flash of temper after a row, and that elevates it to red-card business.

Ten men, one lead, three points

Here’s the twist: despite the numerical disadvantage, Everton struck first. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall produced a gorgeous curler past goalkeeper Senne Lammens to put the Toffees in front. United had their chances — Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes both snatched at openings — but the hosts never truly punished the space. Ruben Amorim’s men pressed late with attacking changes, only to be repelled by a disciplined blue wall.

The result? A shock defeat that halts United’s five-game unbeaten streak and, intriguingly, hands David Moyes his first victory as a visiting manager at Old Trafford. Football, eh? It never sticks to the script.

Consequences and context

As for Gueye, a suspension now looms — the going rate for violent conduct is never kind — and that will sting Sean Dyche’s selection plans in the coming weeks. Across the division, we’ll see some notable absentees this weekend, and discipline could be as decisive as form in shaping the table.

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Bottom line

No grey area here. Gueye’s slap was always going to be punished, and Hackett’s verdict simply echoes the law. Credit to Everton, though — down to ten and still streetwise enough to nick a famous win at Old Trafford. That blend of grit and game management will travel.