West Ham United manager David Moyes has unleashed a furious rant against VAR officials after Everton were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty during their dramatic 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
'A Stonewall Penalty' - Moyes Doesn't Hold Back
The former Everton boss didn't mince words when discussing the controversial incident that saw Toffees forward Jack Grealish brought down in the box during the second half. "It's a stonewall penalty," Moyes declared passionately. "I cannot believe that wasn't given. The VAR system is supposed to eliminate these errors, but tonight it failed miserably."
Grealish Incident Sparks Fury
The match turned contentious when Grealish, who had been a constant threat to Palace's defence, went down under challenge from Eagles defender Joachim Andersen. Despite vehement protests from Everton players and staff, referee Michael Oliver waved play on, and VAR official Jarred Gillett surprisingly upheld the decision after a brief check.
Moyes, watching from the stands, expressed his disbelief: "When you see the replay, it's obvious. Jack gets to the ball first and there's clear contact. These decisions can define seasons, and right now, Everton are fighting for every point."
Pickford's Heroics Not Enough
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced several outstanding saves to keep Everton in the match, particularly denying Palace's talisman Wilfried Zaha on multiple occasions. The Three Lions' number one showcased why he remains Gareth Southgate's first choice with a commanding performance between the posts.
However, Pickford's heroics couldn't secure all three points for Frank Lampard's side, who had to settle for a share of the spoils in South London.
What This Means for the Relegation Battle
The dropped points could prove costly for Everton in their battle against relegation. Currently sitting precariously above the drop zone, every decision and every point matters enormously in what's shaping up to be a tense survival fight.
Moyes emphasised the significance: "When you're down there, these marginal decisions feel enormous. Everton deserved all three points tonight, and they've been robbed by a system that's supposed to help the game."
The result leaves Everton just two points above the relegation zone, while Palace move into mid-table security, though manager Patrick Vieira will be concerned about his team's inability to convert dominance into victories.
