Moyes Sees Red Over VAR as Hammers Edge Past Toffees
David Moyes was left scratching his head after VAR failed to award what he deemed a stonewall penalty in Everton's 2-1 defeat to West Ham, with the Toffees boss pulling no punches in his post-match assessment.
David Moyes has never been one to mince his words, and the Everton manager certainly didn't hold back after watching his side fall to a 2-1 defeat against West Ham, with VAR playing the villain once again.
The Toffees were left to rue what their manager described as a clear-cut penalty decision that never came, as a second-half handball incident was waved away by both the referee and the video assistant. Moyes, who has seen enough controversial decisions in his time to fill a small library, was genuinely bewildered by the officials' reluctance to point to the spot.
"VAR got it wrong," declared the Scottish tactician, displaying the sort of diplomatic restraint that has made him such a media favourite over the years. His amazement at the decision was palpable, though anyone who's watched Premier League football recently might suggest amazement at VAR decisions is becoming as routine as pre-match warm-ups.
The match itself followed a familiar script for Everton supporters - take the lead, look comfortable, then find increasingly creative ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. West Ham's late winner will have felt like a dagger through Goodison hearts, particularly given the penalty controversy that preceded it.
While Moyes was keen to focus on the officials' performance, his side's inability to see out another match will be the real concern for Everton fans. The Toffees have made an art form of dramatic capitulations this season, and their latest effort against the Hammers was worthy of a place in the Louvre of late collapses.
The handball incident that has caused such consternation occurred during the second half, with Everton trailing and desperately seeking a way back into the contest. That the decision went against them will only add to the sense of injustice that seems to follow the blue half of Merseyside around like a particularly persistent rain cloud.
For West Ham, the victory will taste all the sweeter knowing they've managed to wind up their opponents' management team in the process. David Moyes' post-match frustration was evident, though whether his criticism of the VAR system will change anything remains to be seen. Spoiler alert: it probably won't.
The defeat leaves Everton with more questions than answers, and their manager with yet another VAR grievance to add to his growing collection.