David Moyes makes his feelings clear after penalty controversy in Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday night.
Arsenal moved back to the top of the Premier League thanks to a Viktor Gyokeres’ penalty after Jake O’Brien’s handball was the difference between the two teams.
Everton controversially saw a big penalty appeal waved away by VAR in the 57th minute, with the Premier League Match Centre tweeting: “The referee’s call of no penalty to Everton was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact from Saliba on Barry wasn’t sufficient for a penalty.”
Should Everton have been awarded a penalty? 👀 pic.twitter.com/4rmmzxxRDv
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 20, 2025
Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports: “We were competitive, the spirit we showed for long periods in the game. We didn’t quite have the quality to get a goal but overall I thought we did a good job against Arsenal. We tried to make it a tough game and I think it was for them.
“I didn’t think Arsenal gave us too many problems before the penalty kick. If anything we started better than Arsenal. But it was a poor decision by Jake O’Brien to raise his arms which made it difficult. I think that was the first corner of the game.
“These things happen and players don’t mean to do it but you shouldn’t be sticking your arms up there that’s for sure.”
On his discussion with the referee: “I’d like to [tell you] but I’d probably be fined. You need to find a way so we can talk about the referees or don’t bother asking me.”
“A lot of things didn’t quite suit and go our way. There were quite a few people going down and the referee was blowing up for them. It’s a different football club here. We play tough and we expect the referee’s to do the same.
“They come up with new words for every decision don’t they.”
Moyes, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “I might get fed up saying it every week because winnings the thing you really need to do in football. You can play a well as you like and do good things but we need to get some goals. We’ve not had goals in the last two games, which is the bit that’s been missing really.
“We done a lot of things, the players effort, the spirit. Everything you’d want them to do they did tonight. It was just a bit of quality or trying to hurt Arsenal a bit more. Arsenal have given up very few chances and we just didn’t get enough opportunities to get enough chances tonight.
“I thought we started the game well. I don’t think we were under a great deal of pressure until the penalty kick. I think after the penalty kick we were rocked a little bit. I thought prior to it we started the game better than Arsenal. I think the second half we had to make the game more open, we had to be more committed than we’d been. We tried to get forward a bit more and quicker but it also allowed Arsenal to have one or two brilliant passing moves. I thought we stuck at it, never gave in, we were always in the game right to the end. Credit to the players.”
On if Jake O’Brien instantly regretted the handball: “Well, he should because I don’t think any player now knows that putting your hand above your head is liable to be a penalty kick. So I’ve not got anything for him which is positive. I’m thinking, why did you do it for? He raises his arms. He shouldn’t raise his arms.”
On the penalty call that didn’t go his side’s way in the second half :“I think they said it was insignificant contact. Well, we’ll have to see a few others and see if they’re right. Sometimes you need some decisions to go for you. Tonight the decisions didn’t go.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta speaking to Sky Sports: “Very happy to win here. It’s a really difficult place to come. I think it is very organised. By the way, [I want to] take the opportunity to say what a beautiful stadium they’ve built., I had chills with the beauty of it, so congratulations.
“And the first half we had some moments where we were very dominant without really creating much. We scored the goal. And the second half we had three big open chances that if you want to be more relaxed at the end you have to take those chances in the Premier League.
“Those moments that you have to be more clinical to have bigger margins”
On Viktor Gyokeres taking the penalty: “That’s what I hoped and they have to take initiative on the pitch. They decide that Viktor is the best taker and he scored, so what a great decision.
“You need to enjoy the process of winning and that’s going to be hard moments, difficult moments, great moments., That’s all part of that intention and how close we are winning and that’s why we have to enjoy and take it game by game.”
On Man City winning before them: “We are not looking at that. I know you guys do. The only thing we can control is our own performance and results and we know how long it’s going to be and how tough is this league. That’s it. Enjoy every day. Do your best and see what we’re going to get.”
Arteta, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Very happy obviously it is a really tough place to come. I must say, what a stadium, they have built. It was incredible to witness the atmosphere.
“We knew it would be a really tough match. In the second half we should have scored a second or third goal to be more relaxed. We didn’t do that and against this type of team it can be tense.
“Every team brings different situations. They used the keeper to play long balls and the game becomes more chaotic and stretched and you have to dominate that game, if not it is very difficult and we managed to do it.
“We know how long it is going to be and how difficult it is going to be so we take it game by game.”
On the penalty: “I saw some communication there. They have to feel who the best penalty taker is. In that moment they decided Viktor [Gyokeres], he scored. Great decision.”
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, speaking to Sky Sports: “We didn’t give away many chances and we defended really well…we had to suffer at times. We weren’t clinical and didn’t hurt them as much. I don’t think David Raya really had a save to make. Small margins and that’s why they are top of the league. They have been resilient at the back and hard to break down. They got a penalty and scored, the effort and application we put in was quality.
“We are a good side. Over the last few years Everton are hard to play against. We don’t concede too many goals and that’s always the case when you put an Everton shirt on. Everyone knows when they come that they are going to have a tough game.
“You’ll have games where you create loads of chances and games where you have one or two and have to be clinical but Arsenal don’t give many opportunities away. Look at their record, eight or nine clean sheets.”
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka speaking to Sky Sports: “They made it really tough. Also on us to not kill the game in certain moments. Credit to them, it’s always tough coming here. We’re just happy to get the win in the end.
“I think they have a good structure and the way that they play with the fans, the players are so passionate, so they give everything. That made it hard for us. We had our chances and we could’ve killed the game earlier.”
On their emotions after playing after Man City won and went top: “There’s not really any emotions in it. We take the emotions out. We just know we focus on our job this week, after last week we focus on coming here and winning. We did that today. We’re back on top of the table but we’re not watching City too much, or the other teams. We’re in control now. We know if we win every week we’ll stay there.”
Arsenal goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres speaking to Sky Sports on taking the penalty: “It’s a few that can take it and this time it was me that took it. It was important to score that one. It was nice.
“You always want to score goals. That’s the main target every game for attacking players. That’s what we want to do. Today we could’ve scored a few more but the most important is we won the game.
“I think I try to do my best always on the pitch and of course you have to get to know the system and how we play and get to know the role and adapt to that. We’re playing quite well. We’re in a good position in the league and Champions League, so carry on like this.”
Here’s how fans reacted as David Moyes makes his feelings clear after penalty controversy in Everton’s defeat to Arsenal…
@detriplem:
VAR: That’s a pen ref.
REF: But it’s for Everton.
VAR: Never mind. Play on.
@Nicklo2k: It wasn’t a penalty last season when it was Arsenal vs Villa and Jesus was kicked in the exact same situation. At least there is some consistency.
@g2mcc: Hard to believe it wasn’t. Although it’s Arsenal, so not really.
@neillboyd: It wasn’t when a Villa defender did it to Jesus (albeit in 2023). Can’t say which is right or wrong, the lack of consistency match to match let alone season to season is the problem here.
@MattJFootball: So ‘insufficient contact’ named as the reason for this not being given? Can’t be booting people in the box and not getting the ball IMO #EFC
@gra_eds: “Hang on lads, @Everton could be level here, how can we not give this? Just say insufficient contact and move on, it’s Everton.” The most fixed league in football. Should be on Netflix not sky sports. @premierleague corrupt to the core 🐀
@Grealish2NDiaye: Gets more hilarious the more I see it, clear and obvious penalty
@RyanG78_: What do you even say with this, yes it’s accidental but doesn’t mean it isn’t a penalty. Yet another game we’ve been fucked over
@_MattyTurnbull: Couldn’t have Everton getting in the way of a title race could we 🙃🤥
@AlanRNewton: The officials were not-fit-for purpose. Couldn’t wait to dish out yellow cards to Everton but let Arsenal get away with worse. Multiple Arsenal foul throws ignored, time wasting ignored, and then ignoring a blatant penalty. “Not sufficient contact” . Give it a rest 😂😂
@Watson_SLdn: No. Both have gone for the ball. It is not a foul, the ball is not under control. It’s a contact sport and the Everton player going down like he’s been shot and then needing treatment is just embarrassing. Don’t get why people want penalties every game. It’s not football
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