Moyes: Everton deserved point but were held back by referee

Everton manager David Moyes had said he is proud of his team’s performance in their 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Goodison Park on Wednesday, but believes the Toffees were also on the wrong side of a number of refereeing decisions throughout the contest.

It was a lively encounter in which either team could have stolen a win in the final moments, after Theo Walcott’s first-minute opener was ruled out by Marouane Fellaini’s low strike to earn a draw, a result that Moyes believes Everton deserve.

“The players played really well and it was a deserved equaliser with the way we played after going a goal behind,” he said.

“It was a disappointing start but great credit to the players who kept getting on the ball and trying to play and we’ve got the rewards from it.”

Moyes was clearly irked by a number of refereeing decisions that went against his side, notably a clear penalty shout that was turned down after Steven Pienaar was brought down by former Toffee Mikel Arteta.

“It was a penalty,” said Moyes.

“We had very few decisions that went for Everton and sometimes referee decisions change the game and we were never going to get anything tonight.”

“We found it a difficult night from that point of view, but the players played really well throughout against a good Arsenal team.

“It was a good game, we just didn’t get the second goal which is something we’ve been lacking in recent matches.”