Everton fans are still furious about the decision not to award a penalty for the handball by West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
The Toffees fell to a 2-1 defeat at London Stadium, with Everton losing ground in the race for Europe.
The table remains tight, but with Manchester City up next for Everton, at least a point against West Ham would have been ideal.
Why has it taken this long for Everton to complain? 🤷♂️
The club have FINALLY had enough… 😡
Angus Kinnear, Managing Director of Leeds United alongside Victor Orta, Sporting Director of Leeds United prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Leeds United.
Credit: Getty Images/Michael Steele
Everton did put themselves in a good position to take one. But lost via a last-gasp strike from Callum Wilson.
A big talking point from the game has been that decision not to award a penalty to Everton after Fernandes handled the ball in the box.
After the game, David Moyes revealed what he actually said to referee Stuart Attwell directly.
David Moyes reveals the question he hit Stuart Attwell with after VAR controversy
David Moyes looks on.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
The Premier League insisted that Fernandes had touched the ball by accident, with their statement reading: “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.”
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This has gone down very badly. Not just with Everton fans, but with Tottenham Hotspur fans – who are fighting against West Ham in the relegation battle – and also the wider football community.
Moyes himself was left very unhappy by the decision.
And he also revealed what he actually said to Attwell directly.
He said (via BBC Sounds): “I’ve just spoken to the referee.
“I said ‘When did accidental come back into the game?’
“I wish it did actually because then we could explain it and we could probably have a word which might go out.
“When did they come in with accidental today? I find it very poor, the VAR, refereeing. I could probably get it where maybe the linesman or the referee couldn’t see the action.
Four games to go, have Everton blown their hopes of European? 🫣
Everton are only three points off sixth, though… 🤔
Premier League table.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Pelham
“But when you’re in front of the screen and you see that, everybody will be saying it should be a penalty kick.”
Michael Salisbury was the man on VAR for the game.
In light of the latest VAR controversy, it’s been reported that Everton CEO Angus Kinnear is to raise concerns about refereeing standards to PGMO.
The Toffees have had several calls go against them that has been poor this season, and clearly patience at executive level has worn thin.
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