David Moyes was disappointed with Stuart Attwell and VAR’s decision not to award Everton a penalty against West Ham.
Everton appealed for a penalty late in the second half when Mateus Fernandes handled the ball in the 18-yard box.
While grappling with Toffees striker Thierno Barry from behind, Fernandes accidentally punched the ball away from his control.
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has since shut down Moyes’ passionate complaints about the decision.
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Mark Clattenburg dismisses Everton penalty shout
The VAR decided not to award a penalty to Everton as there was “no intent” from Fernandes to handle the ball.
The West Ham midfielder was merely grappling with Barry, but Moyes pointed out that it was not a 50:50 battle.
Barry was fully focused on trying to control the ball and had it taken away from him by Fernandes’ hand, regardless of intent.
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“He puts two hands around him. It wasn’t as if his hand was there and the ball came up and hit it,” Moyes explained.
“He reacted and he punched the ball, so I’m amazed that they’ve not given a penalty kick for it. It would have been harsh on them, but I’m amazed.”
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However, Clattenburg shared the VAR’s opinion, disagreeing with Moyes that it should have been a penalty.
“It would have been harsh to punish West Ham’s midfielder Fernandes for a handball when the ball touched his hand,” Clattenburg told Everton News.
“The midfielder does not try to touch the ball with his hand while fighting for the ball with an Everton forward. The best decision was to play on.”
Fernandes was certainly fortunate to get away with a clear handball, especially when it took the ball away from an Everton player.
But after Clattenburg reinforced the referee’s decision (which he doesn’t always do), this suggests that the right call was made.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also scored minutes later anyway, which may not have happened if a penalty had been awarded.
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