David Moyes disgusted and Tony Bellew annoyed
(Credit: Imago)
Henry Green
Tue 19 August 2025 8:10, UK
Everton lost their Premier League opener 1-0 to Leeds United on Monday thanks to a controversial penalty at Elland Road.
James Tarkowski was ruled to have handballed Anton Stach’s long-range shot in the 83rd minute, which led to referee Chris Kavanagh pointing to the spot.
Tarkowski didn’t know much about the incoming attempt as it took a deflection before he leaned out to his side to block the shot.
With his hands by his side, the ball did touch his arm, but supporters are mostly in agreement that the decision was incredibly harsh.
Tony Bellew is no different, as Lukas Nmecha scored the winner.
James Tarkowski
Tarkowski was unlucky against Leeds (Credit: Imago)
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Tony Bellew blasts ‘stupid decisions’ from referees
Everton haven’t had the most constructive summer, having had 11 players leave at the end of last season, including Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The Blues have only recruited six new players to replace them, with Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish the only notable signings so far.
Supporters have been worried about their ongoing issues both on and off the pitch, having not won a single pre-season friendly.
The penalty decision and loss to Leeds will only compound those worries, with Everton supporter and former boxer Bellew fuming with the referee following the game.
Bellew took to X after David Moyes called out the decision, backing him, saying: “New season, same stupid decisions that cost us points. Please tell me what he was supposed to do?
“Arm behind his back in a safe position, and it also takes a deflection! Neo out of the matrix couldn’t have meant that it happened that quickly.”
Everton had three losses and two draws in the preseason
One of those losses was 2-1 against Moyes’ former side, West Ham
The Toffees have struggled during the transfer window, which has cost them
Supporters are growing restless already with referees.
However, Everton’s performance against Leeds was subpar anyway, and it should be a huge wake-up call for The Friedkins Group.
Everton must invest after Leeds defeat
It is no good for the Toffees to constantly blame the penalty decision for such a poor result and performance.
Instead, the Blues need to look themselves in the mirror and realise the position they’re in.
It is simply shocking that a team as big as Everton have to rely on a centre-back at right-back and a central midfielder as a makeshift left-back.
Up front, Grealish isn’t going to solve all their problems, as he and Iliman Ndiaye were consistently left isolated.
The bottom line is that the Blues need reinforcements, and they need them now; otherwise, they could be looking at another season of midtable mediocrity or worse.
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