Bournemouth's winner at Everton on Tuesday night was allowed to stand despite similar goals being ruled out for offside
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Everton manager David Moyes shouts instructions to his team from the technical area during the Premier League match between Everton and Bournemouth at Goodison Park on February 10, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Everton manager David Moyes during the Premier League defeat to Bournemouth on Tuesday(Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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David Moyes should pick up the phone to Howard Webb to "complain about the shocking standards of officiating" that impacted Everton in the 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth. The Blues were largely masters of their own downfall at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday.
But eyebrows were raised when what proved to be Bournemouth's winner, scored by Amine Adli less than four minutes after Rayan's equaliser, was allowed to stand.
A free-kick was floated into the Everton box and won by Cherries defender James Hill, who headed it across to winger Adli, whose finish was straightforward with home goalkeeper Jordan Pickford caught in no man's land.
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The Blues had every right to be frustrated over the efforts of the clearly offside Enes Unal to win the first header from the free-kick. The Bournemouth substitute did not make contact with the ball but then neither did Harrison Armstrong at Aston Villa last month when his presence in the area led to a Jake O’Brien goal being disallowed.
Everton did go on to win that match 1-0 but, after seeing O'Brien sent off just five minutes after Adli's close-range header, they were unable to mount a comeback in midweek despite a brave effort.
Moyes refused to criticise the officials despite the decisions surrounding Bournemouth’s winning goal and the O’Brien red card appearing inconsistent to other high-profile recent calls. For example, Marc Guehi stayed on the pitch in Manchester City's 2-1 win at Liverpool on Sunday despite pulling Mohamed Salah back closer to goal than the foul that the Blues right-back committed on Adli.
However, former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett says the Everton boss would every right to get in touch with the current PGMOL boss to vent his frustrations.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Hackett said: “If I were David Moyes, I would be on the phone to Howard Webb and the Premier League to complain about the shocking standards of officiating that are impacting the results in games.
“Last night (Tuesday), the second goal scored and allowed was wrong in law. The Bournemouth 26 comes from an offside position and makes a deliberate move to head the ball. This is a deliberate play and, in law, is offside.
“I know that, having seen this in my old position as boss of the PGMOL, I would expect a call from the Everton manager.
“PGMOL match officials lack consistency. This must be down to the leadership and direction of Howard Webb. Everyone can see that something needs to happen.”
However, another former referee says Adli's goal was rightly allowed to stand. Mark Clattenburg, also speaking to Everton News, said: “Enes Unal is in an offside position when the free-kick is played into the area.
“To be punished for offside, he needs to touch the ball or interferes with the defender’s ability to play the ball. He does neither so he cannot be punished for being in that position.
“The ball from the free-kick is headed by James Hill across goal and headed into the goal by Amine Adli. The goal was rightly given.”
Everton return to action on Monday week when they play host to Manchester United.
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