- Everton were denied a penalty in their 2-1 loss to West Ham
- David Moyes has voiced his concern over the incident
- Mike Dean believes it was a clear penalty
A controversial refereeing decision overshadowed Everton’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham on Saturday. With the score at 1-0 and five minutes remaining, the ball appeared to strike the arm of West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek inside the box.
Referee Simon Hooper waved play on, and VAR opted not to intervene. Moments later, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall smashed home a spectacular equalizer, only for Callum Wilson to snatch a stoppage‑time winner for the hosts. The late win left Everton with yet another heartbreak after a similar 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.
David Moyes: ‘I’m amazed they haven’t given it’
The Everton manager spoke to BBC Sport about the penalty claim. “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.”
Three former referees have now offered their opinions, and they are far from united.
Clattenburg: ‘The best decision was to play on’
Mark Clattenburg, who took charge of the 2016 Champions League final, defended the on‑field call. “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.”
Mike Dean supports Everton claim: ‘It just has to be a penalty’
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean saw it very differently. “It’s a penalty. He’s backed into him, he’s put his arm round and knocked the ball with his hand,” Dean said. “It just has to be a penalty… it has to be a penalty.”
Dean’s view will resonate with Everton supporters, who felt the replay showed Mateus Fernandes deliberately using his arm to gain an advantage.
Hackett: ‘Poor decision that may have impacted the result’
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett went further, questioning VAR’s failure to intervene. “We need to understand that the PGMOL is funded by the Premier League, The Football Association, and The Football League. The Premier League is made up of 20 clubs, each a shareholder of the EPL,” Hackett said.
“Given the poor decision, where VAR did not intervene on the deliberate handball offence that should have resulted in a penalty to Everton, that may well have impacted on the result. We need to understand that league position also determines a substantial payment merit at the end of the season.”
Hackett also noted a pattern. “This is not the first time that this VAR has been involved with a decision involving Everton. A previous one where [Michael] Salisbury sat in the VAR chair was reviewed by the independent review panel, and they determined that the decision was incorrect.”
With four games remaining and Everton chasing European football, every point is precious. The penalty that never was may haunt Moyes’ side. As Dean put it simply: “It has to be a penalty.” For Everton, that is little consolation now.
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