- Webb has admitted a pen must have been given to Everton against West Ham.
- Everton were held to a 2-2 draw at West Ham.
- David Moyes has voiced his frustration with refereeing standards.
The full VAR audio from Everton’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham has been released, and PGMOL Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb has admitted the Blues should have been awarded a penalty.
The controversial incident occurred in the 84th minute with the score at 1-0. West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes appeared to scoop the ball away with his hand inside the box. No penalty was given, and VAR did not intervene. Now, Howard Webb has acknowledged the decision was wrong.
Webb: ‘We think a penalty should have been awarded’
Speaking on the released audio, Howard Webb was clear in his assessment. “From the outset, I want to say we think a penalty should’ve been awarded here against Fernandes. However, I don’t think he really meant to deliberately handle the ball.
“But most penalties that are given where there’s no intent to handle the ball are when players make themselves unnaturally bigger. They take a risk by putting their arm out to maybe block a shot or a cross, and they know that if the ball does hit their arm or their hand in that position, then they’re going to pay the price for that.
“He doesn’t make himself unnaturally bigger here. He moves his arm forward. I think he’s probably trying to prevent the attacker from turning him. But in doing that, he kind of bats the ball away.”
Webb concluded that Fernandes was given too much leeway. “He can’t even see the ball, but Fernandes knows more or less where the ball is, and it’s a deliberate action with his arm, probably not to handle the ball, but to do something. And therefore, I think we’ve given Fernandes way too much benefit of the doubt here.”
Moyes’ frustration on penalty incident and the cost of the decision for Everton
At the time, David Moyes was left puzzled by the non‑call. “I’m a bit surprised. I’ve been to see them [the officials] and VAR are saying it was grappling – well, the boy marking him was grappling. He punched the ball. It would have been harsh, but I’m amazed they haven’t given it.”
Moyes has previously voiced his frustration with the PGMOL, saying: “It’s always rubbish you get back. You never get anything back, and it’s never what you want to hear.”
The penalty that never was came at a crucial moment. Moments after the incident, Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall smashed home a stunning volley to equalise, only for Callum Wilson to score a stoppage‑time winner for West Ham.
Had the penalty been given, Everton would have had a golden chance to take the lead and potentially secure three vital points in their European push.
Webb’s admission will be little consolation for the Toffees, but it confirms what Evertonians have known all along that they were robbed. The release of the VAR audio adds further weight to claims that officiating standards need improvement. For Everton, the damage is done. But at least the truth is finally out.
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