Moyes Bemoans Penalty Decision After Everton’s Defeat to Arsenal

Everton boss David Moyes insisted the Blues could have been awarded a penalty in yesterday’s defeat.

The Toffees lost 1-0 to Mikel Arteta’s side, with a spot kick being the deciding factor in the match.

Indeed, in a moment of madness, Jake O’Brien uselessly handled the ball on a corner from Declan Rice.

The incident happened just moments after a VAR check ruled out a penalty following an alleged push by O’Brien on Viktor Gyokeres.

Granting a penalty in this case would have been severe. However, the Irishman certainly got away with one.

Disconcertingly, he then handled the ball from the ensuing corner, leaving the officials little choice.

Gyokeres, with just one goal in his last 10 league matches, sent home the penalty to give Arsenal the lead.

It was an act of generosity that cost Everton the match. However, the Blues could also have won a penalty.

Indeed, William Saliba kicked the back of Thierno Barry’s boot, although this was not deemed sufficient to commit an infraction.

Reflecting on the decision, Moyes said: “I think we’ve seen a few for getting kicked in the foot or in the back of someone. It’s actually on his Achilles tendon, I think.

“In the action, nothing really happened, I think Saliba came in and Thierno put his foot in front of him and kicked the ball and the boy kicked (Barry).

“But I think you would all agree, it probably could have been given to us. For the VAR not to send him (referee Sam Barrott) on the screen, it must have meant they didn’t think it was enough (for a penalty) in the studio.”

The caramels should have had a pen, but the lack of depth was glaring.

Everton have been missing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Idrissa Gueye in midfield. Iliman Ndiaye was also greatly missed, with the Toffees lacking creativity.

It was a game where the fringe players failed to seize an opportunity. Charley Alcaraz was poor, while Dwight McNeil was barely in the game.

Facing the league leaders with a key player missing would have been a big ask. With three notable absentees, the task was monumental.

Despite two consecutive defeats, the Blues approach Christmas still in the first half of the ranking.

Our run of matches heading into the new year is much more winnable, at least on paper.