Everton were denied a penalty during their 2-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday afternoon
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, looks on during warm ups prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at London Stadium on April 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
David Moyes, Everton's manager, before his side's 2-1 defeat at West Ham United(Image: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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The Premier League Match Centre have explained why Everton weren’t awarded a penalty against West Ham United. The Blues were ultimately in the capital as Callum Wilson grabbed a priceless stoppage-time winner as the Hammers kept their heads above the relegation zone.
Falling behind to Tomas Soucek’s header, David Moyes’ side look to have rescued themselves a point when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck two minutes from time. But moments before Dewsbury-Hall equalised, the Blues thought they had a penalty when the ball struck Mateus Fernandes' hand inside the box as he grappled with Thierno Barry.
However, despite the appeals and replays suggesting it was handball, no penalty was awarded following a VAR review.
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Everton’s players and Moyes were left outraged by the decision, but VAR believed it was accidental handball rather than deliberate.
“The referee’s call of no penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Fernandes accidentally handled the ball while grappling with an opponent,” a post from the Premier League’s Match Centre read on X.
On the decision, Moyes said: "I'm a bit surprised. I've been to see them [the officials] and VAR are saying it was grappling – well, the boy marking him was grappling. He punched the ball. It would have been harsh, but I'm amazed they haven't given it.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Callum Wilson of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton at London Stadium on April 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
Callum Wilson celebrates his winner for West Ham United against Everton(Image: West Ham United FC/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
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A goal two minutes into stoppage time from Wilson won the game for the relegation-threatened hosts, and Moyes said: “We’re disappointed we’ve not been able to maintain [our form].
“We’ve conceded a couple of goals today and we did last week, as well. That’s not like us. We need to find a way of getting better if we’ve got any chance.”
Before he added: “I’m disappointed we didn’t take something from the game,” he added. “We should have done. We played okay at times, but not so good at other times. I’m disappointed we didn’t end up with something.”
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