David Moyes gave a memorable response after he was asked about his jig of delight following Everton's late leveller at Brighton & Hove Albion
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Everton Manager David Moyes celebrates after his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton at Amex Stadium on January 31, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Ben Peters/MB Media/Getty Images)
Everton manager David Moyes celebrates after his side's injury-time equaliser at Brighton & Hove Albion(Image: Ben Peters/MB Media/Getty Images)
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David Moyes said he would dance on the pitch again even if it means facing more disciplinary action. The Everton manager skipped across the touchline as he celebrated Beto’s 97th-minute equaliser at Brighton & Hove Albion - a joyful reaction that earned him a yellow card from referee Chris Kavanagh.
Moyes was stunned by the punishment after the game. And when asked whether he would do it again he joked: “I bloody will do it again. Actually, I think if I had been a bit more mobile, I might have done a knee slide.
“That would have only got me a yellow as well. So I might as well have gone the whole hog.”
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Moyes conceded the match had a “crazy” conclusion as Beto stabbed in from close range when Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen could only push away Jake O’Brien’s powerful effort.
It was a dramatic finale that caused him to burst with emotion and the Blues boss said: “It was a bit of a crazy ending because it didn't look as if we were going to get the equaliser.
“I think it was deserved in many ways. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to put us one up. They missed a big chance in the first half as well, but we had a huge chance in the second half to go one up and didn't.
“Tarky's (James Tarkowski) had one headed off the line or kicked off the line and then Jarrad Branthwaite also had an attempt, so we were threatening to get closer to it. It looked as if it wasn't going to go in our favour really, that was the way it was.
“We hadn't had to deal with too much, we had quite a few corners to deal with but in the main I thought most of the other stuff we dealt with quite well.”
Everton improved after a strong start from Brighton during which Kaoru Mitoma missed a good opportunity.
Moyes played four centre-backs across the defence to add solidity and strength but said that, while he had considered it before, this time it was enforced by a late injury that ruled out Vitalii Mykolenko.
He said: “I've always had it in my mind. Pep (Guardiola) does it as well, doesn't he? So he's thought about it at different times.
“It was different for us. It was an injury which caused us to make the change. It wasn't the plan on Friday afternoon. Myko just picked up an injury in training, which altered everything really.”
On the booking he picked up after Beto’s late goal, which cancelled out Pascal Gross’ opener, Moyes continued: “Imagine being booked for celebrating.
“Who wants to see managers getting booked for celebrating? I don't think I would have danced down if the goal was in the 55th minute, you know what I mean?
“It means they've got nothing about them at all. No thoughts about what football means or what it means to the managers without absolutely just saying, no, you just can't step outside that line and I'm going to book you.
“I think it's sad, isn't it? It's sad. I'm still shaking my head.”