Everton manager David Moyes heads to Stamford Bridge with the chance to jump into the Champions League spot
West Ham United's Scottish manager David Moyes (C) complains to the linesman after the team's second goal was disallowed during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Stoke City at The London Stadium, in east London on April 16, 2018.
David Moyes didn't hold back in his fury(Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
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David Moyes makes his return to Stamford Bridge this afternoon, three years on from his explosive confrontation with Premier League match officials. The Scottish manager takes his Everton squad to the capital with the tantalising prospect of potentially overtaking Chelsea for fourth spot with a win.
Yet, west London hasn't always provided fond memories for the Toffees boss. Moyes ended up in a furious clash with referee Andy Madley during his West Ham tenure in September 2022.
The Hammers had taken the lead through Michail Antonio, only for Ben Chilwell to equalise before teeing up Kai Havertz for what ended up being the winning strike.
Maxwell Cornet seemingly rescued a dramatic point for the visitors with a 90th-minute goal that looked set to secure a memorable result. However, VAR official Jarred Gillet instructed Madley to review the goal on his pitchside monitor, focusing on Jarrod Bowen's challenge on Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.
After studying the footage, the referee chalked off the goal, leaving Moyes absolutely incandescent with rage. Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, he said: "It is a scandalous decision, absolutely rotten from one of the supposedly elite referees.
"It doesn't say much about whoever sent him over from VAR as well. It is an unbelievable decision against us.
"The goalkeeper comes to take it and fumbles it out of his hands. Then he acted as if it was a shoulder injury. I'm amazed that VAR sent the referee to the screen. It was a ridiculously bad decision.
"Today there is no excuse for that not to be a goal, none whatsoever. The sad thing is that this is the level of our elite refereeing at the moment.
David Moyes complains to Andy Madley, the match referee during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on September 4, 2022 in London, United Kingdom.
After the goal was ruled out, Moyes launched his verbal attack
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"They've got new people in charge who are trying to do something. I've lost faith in them today in the people who are putting up for VAR. After watching it, I can't see how the goal was not given. The referees said they were going to cut back on soft challenges and that was unbelievably soft.
"Referees can make mistakes. I do not see that in a million years. I'm more embarrassed for the guy in VAR than the referee because that's telling me someone who doesn't understand football and shouldn't be near the game if that is enough to put someone near the screen."
Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel - who is now in charge of England - disagreed with Moyes' angry response following the match. He said: "There's a reason it went in our favour. I don't know if everyone shares the opinion - it's a foul. The goal that we conceded in very similar in the build-up to the situation at Tottenham."
Moyes will want to steer clear of any comparable VAR disputes as his side battles for a potential Champions League spot. At the same time, Enzo Maresca will look to recover from a 2-1 defeat to Atalanta during the week, which extended Chelsea's winless streak to four matches.