Everton boss David Moyes looking angry, Pep Guardiola in inset.
Credit: Imago
Declan Carr
Sat 18 October 2025 18:40, UK
Everton were the subject of another wrong refereeing call in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, Keith Hackett has said.
David Moyes has spoken out about decisions against Everton on numerous occasions already this season.
One particular incident that riled Moyes was when Kieran Dewsbury-Hall was suspended for Everton’s win over Crystal Palace after picking up five yellow cards, two of which were questionable decisions.
Everton also had two penalties awarded against them in their opening two Premier League matches, both of which were extremely soft.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in action for Everton, looking angry.
Credit: Imago
Everton should have had a penalty against Manchester City
Everton fell to defeat against City due to two Erling Haaland strikes, however, they had a penalty claim denied in the 60th minute.
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James Garner had an effort blocked by Bernardo Silva’s arm, but the referee waved it away, and the Blues were awarded a corner.
However, former PGMOL chief Hackett believes that it was a penalty and slammed Tony Harrington and his assistants.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, he said: “I have written on many occasions that the handball law is poorly written and open to a level of subjectivity that leads to an inconsistent application.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the player had his arm in a position to make his body larger with the view of stopping the ball.
“It is a decision that should have seen VAR intervention, and the referee invited to review at the pitch-side monitor.
“It should have seen the award of a penalty kick. Everton again on the wrong end of a decision.”
60' | #MCI 1-0 #EVE
Everton asking for a handball on Bernardo Silva after Garner's shot. Seen that given as a handball against us before.
— 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀 (@EvertonNewsFeed) October 18, 2025
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Everton need to hold PGMOL to account
It is getting ridiculous now, Everton need to hold the PGMOL, the organisation that oversees the top-flight referees, to account.
It seems like every week, a controversial decision goes against Moyes’ side, and it is simply not good enough.
They have already held talks with the organisation after the Dewsbury-Hall suspension, but further action is needed, as it is a shambles that they are constantly affected by decisions like the one against City.
It is undermining the integrity of the competition, and something needs to be done about it, sooner rather than later.
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