- Everton denied yet another penalty against Manchester City
- Everton conceded two late goals to draw 3-3 against Manchester City
- Moyes, Dewsbury-Hall and Rohl have voiced their concern on the incident
Everton’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium will be remembered for Jeremy Doku’s 97th‑minute equaliser and a thrilling game of football.
Jeremy Doku opened the scoring for the visitors just before half‑time, but a quick brace from Thierno Barry and a bullet header from Jake O’Brien put the Toffees into a 3‑1 lead. However, Doku struck again in the 97th minute to snatch a point for the champions.
But once again, the Toffees were left questioning officiating. In the 87th minute, with the score at 3‑2, City captain Bernardo Silva grappled Merlin Rohl inside the box, dragging the Everton midfielder to the ground. Referee Michael Oliver waved play on. VAR did not intervene.
It was a decision that sparked fury among players, manager and supporters. It came just weeks after a similar controversy at West Ham, where a clear handball was not given.
Merlin Rohl: ‘That could have been a penalty’
Rohl, who was making a rare start, was clear about what happened. “To be honest, we watched the videos and he [Bernardo Silva] has been doing this a lot against other players. I thought [the second-half incident], he was doing way too much grabbing my shirt. I was trying to get away from him, to the ball, so that could have been a penalty.”
Dewsbury-Hall’s social media response on the penalty
Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall took to social media after the game. He wrote “Looking at the ball” alongside two images of Silva grappling with Rohl while clearly not looking at the ball. The walk‑on music for WWE legend Brock Lesnar, a sarcastic jab at the decision, also accompanied the post.
David Moyes: ‘I’m absolutely amazed’
David Moyes was visibly frustrated in his post‑match press conference. “I’ve seen it, I’ve had a look. If that doesn’t get given as a penalty then it’s an absolute free-for-all from now on. I might have to start coaching my defenders how to defend differently completely. It looks like now you’re able to sort of grapple and wrestle on the ground if you want.
“I’m absolutely amazed and look, this is on the back of a terrible decision at West Ham when we don’t get a penalty there either. Hey, that’s not the reason why we don’t get the result tonight, but I think it’s another pointer just to say that I find it really hard that that wasn’t given. I think most football supporters will find that really difficult that that penalty wasn’t given.”
The West Ham incident, a clear handball that was not awarded, was widely criticised. Former referees Mike Dean and Keith Hackett both said a penalty should have been given on the West Ham game. Moyes has previously voiced his frustration with the PGMOL, saying: “It’s always rubbish you get back. You never get anything back, and it’s never what you want to hear.”
Another big decision goes against Everton
Everton have now had two major penalty calls go against them in crucial games within a matter of weeks. With European qualification on the line, the points dropped could prove costly.
The Toffees travel to Crystal Palace next before hosting Sunderland and Tottenham in their final three games. If those matches are decided by fine margins, the memory of these two decisions will linger even longer.
Moyes and his players feel they have been robbed. The evidence, both in the Silva grapple and the West Ham handball, is difficult to dispute. As the manager said, if that is not a penalty, then an absolute free-for-all from here.
- ‘It’s an absolute free-for-all’, Moyes fumes as Everton denied another clear penalty
- ‘I’m here living my dream’, Merlin Rohl grateful for Everton chance after Man City display
- Everton ‘keeping a close eye’ on Osasuna defender as key summer target
- “Really difficult to take” – David Moyes reacts to last-gasp Man City equaliser
- ‘There has to be a level of understanding’: Leon Osman defends midfielder after Moyes remarks
