Angry Moyes takes aim at referee

Everton manager David Moyes has taken a swipe at World Cup final referee Howard Webb in the wake of his side’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Moyes claimed that Webb, widely regarded as the best referee in English football, had been influenced by the home supporters at the Etihad Stadium and insisted there was an officiating mistake in the build-up to Mario Balotelli’s breakthrough goal for City.

“I thought the crowd influenced the decisions today – the referee was taken by the crowd,” Moyes said.

“You hope that they get them right and I did not think they got them right today. I did not think they got the big decisions right at the right moments.”

“I was frustrated because there were a couple of similarities in challenges that were either free-kicks or bookings for Man City that we had later on in the game that weren’t treated with the same outcome. That was the disappointing thing.”

Moyes maintained that Everton had been the victims of a series of errors by Webb and his team, most notably over a throw-in just before Balotelli’s goal that put City on course for a win that was sealed late by James Milner.

Moyes also took aim at Kompany over a challenge that left Tim Cahill with a bruised shin.

“It looks like it is just a bruised shin but it was a terrible challenge. I have seen it again. His foot goes right onto his shin. So I was disappointed it wasn’t spotted,” he said.

Moyes conceded that he had seen enough of City to be certain that they will be title challengers in the Premier League this season.

“I think they have a really talented team. They have an excellent team and what they have got is that they can change and change the way they play. They have a really good team. They will be contenders. I have no doubt about that,” Moyes said.

Meanwhile, City manager Roberto Mancini was thrilled after his team’s ‘difficult’ win.

“I am delighted with the way the side kept plugging away because I think that we played a fantastic game against a team that is very strong,” he said.

“We were unlucky in the first half but in the second half we did better. Before the game we knew we had to keep the ball and try to shoot as many times as possible.”

“We had to dig in to win which is a nice feeling. It was difficult because Everton defended throughout the game getting behind the ball so it was not easy for us to find a good solution or to find space but we pushed them for 90 minutes.”

“In the end we deserved to win the game and I am very pleased with my players.”