Moyes blasts ref for ´penalty´ blunder

Everton manager David Moyes slammed the performance of referee Michael Oliver in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

Moyes was angry that Oliver turned down a second-half penalty appeal when Steven Pienaar appeared to be dragged back by former team-mate Mikel Arteta.

“We should have had a penalty. The players had to earn everything because we weren’t getting a jot,” he said.

But Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger did not agree, saying: “Honestly, it didn’t look like a penalty to me at all.”

Arsenal took the lead through Theo Walcott’s goal after only 51 seconds at Goodison Park, before Marouane Fellaini levelled after 28 minutes with a superb low shot.

Everton began to dominate after the Belgian’s equaliser but were unable to find a breakthrough as they recorded a sixth draw in their last eight Premier League matches.

Moyes added: “I thought we played really well against a good Arsenal team and a lot of games are decided by decisions referees make or don’t make. We got nothing tonight.”

Arsenal rarely stretched home goalkeeper Tim Howard after Walcott’s opener and Wenger conceded he was happy to earn a point.

“I think a point is fair for both teams as both sides played with high commitment,” said the Frenchman.

“Everton always looked a threat and we needed good focus and concentration not to concede a second goal.

“The regret we have is we could have negotiated some counter attacks better in the second half.”

Everton suffered an injury blow with England defender Leighton Baines sustaining a hamstring injury that makes him doubtful for Saturday’s visit to Premier League champions Manchester City, while striker Nikica Jelavic played despite not training since Saturday because of illness.

Moyes said: “I wasn’t going to play Jelavic yesterday but he said he felt better and could play. I thought he was much better in this game as well. I was a lot happier with him.