Everton couldn’t continue their winning form with a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, but referee Simon Hooper didn’t help David Moyes.
It was a frustrating encounter against Villa, as the Toffees should surely have walked away with the three points again.
Beto had an afternoon to forget with many chances spurned, and Moyes will certainly be scratching his head at just how Everton haven’t won that game.
Jack Grealish got booed against Villa, as the winger faced his former club, but there was also a gloomy reception for referee Simon Hooper after the game.
Previously, Hooper has made mistakes against Everton, and he’s not left the Toffees manager a happy man.
Referee Simon Hooper speaks to Jack Grealish during Everton v Aston Villa.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
David Moyes ‘fuming’ with Simon Hooper after giving Idrissa Gana Gueye foul during Everton vs Aston Villa
The game was a very feisty one against Unai Emery’s side, and the positive that can be taken is that the Blues deserved much more.
But the man in the middle didn’t help matters, as Patrick Boyland, who was watching the game, spotted Moyes ‘fuming’ after the referee blew for a ‘mad decision’ against Idrissa Gana Gueye.
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The draw does leave Everton fifth still with other games to be played, so it’s certainly far from the end of the world, but Hooper’s performance was a questionable one.
In a way, the draw does show how far the Toffees have come by being the dominant team, but Everton’s poor record vs Villa continues.
The finger can be pointed at Hooper, but Everton know they should have done better.
Everton might have themselves to blame after 2.17 xG vs Aston Villa
It was an afternoon to forget for Hooper, who was giving soft fouls away.
An example of this was when Grealish made a tackle which clearly got the ball, but the official still blew for a foul and eventually cautioned the winger.
However, judging by the statistics in front of goal, the Blues had to take the chances presented to them, with the dominance showing why Moyes will be so angered at the draw.
Statistic Rank
Expected goals (xG) 2.17
Total shots 20
Shots on target 2
Big chances missed 2
Everton’s attacking statistics in 0-0 draw with Aston Villa
It does keep Everton in a healthy position, but if they had found the net, the Toffees could be finding themselves in third at the moment.
Everton fans have praised Thierno Barry before, and they will certainly be calling for the Frenchman to start in the Merseyside Derby with the goalscoring letting them down once again.