Everton were beaten 1-0 by the Premier League title favourites Arsenal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening.
David Moyes’ side were really competitive, and the Scotsman singled out Tim Iroegbunam after the game for his battling performance.
But, Everton just didn’t have enough quality going forward and it was a Jake O’Brien error that cost them the game.
Although, Mark Clattenburg reckons the Toffees could’ve had a penalty when Thierno Barry was brought down by William Saliba in the box.
Moyes referenced that in his post-match interview and sent a pretty stern message to the PGMOL.
David Moyes urges PGMOL to allow him to speak about referees after Everton vs Arsenal
Speaking to the media after the Arsenal defeat, Moyes appeared to send a direct message to the PGMOL, urging referees to be held accountable for their decisions.
The Scotsman was asked about his discussion with the referee, but he said he’d be fined if he made any comment.
“I’d like to (tell you) but I’d probably be fined,” the Everton manager said.
“You need to find a way so we can talk about the referees or don’t bother asking me. A lot of things didn’t quite suit and go our way.
Should Everton have been awarded a penalty when Barry was kicked by Saliba?
“There were quite a few people going down and the referee was blowing up for them. It’s a different football club here. We play tough and we expect the referees to do the same.
“They come up with new words for every decision don’t they.”
David Moyes believes Everton should’ve had a penalty
Whilst Moyes didn’t share the contents of his conversation with the referee, he made no secret of the fact he thought Everton should’ve had a penalty.
“I think we could have done. I think on another day somebody might have given a penalty. I think Saliba kicks the back of Thierno’s Achilles, it looks like, and it’s not as if he’s sort of pulled his foot away, he’s kicked through.
“I just think it looked like a bit of an action where there wasn’t much happening, and Thierno’s got in front of him and he’s kicked. I don’t know if the referee was expecting it or VAR, but it didn’t go our way. We’ve not been getting many decisions here, that’s for sure.”
Ultimately, Everton just weren’t clinical enough and Jordan Pickford admitted David Raya didn’t have a save to make.
So, that’s certainly an area the Toffees will have to address in the January transfer window, with more firepower needed.
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