David Moyes ‘Surprised’ by Controversial Penalty Overturn in Everton’s 2-2 Draw with Manchester United, as Ruben Amorim Criticizes Players for Slow Start

Everton manager David Moyes has expressed his surprise at the controversial decision to overturn a late penalty for his side in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Goodison Park. The hosts looked set to be given the chance to win the game when referee Andrew Madley awarded a spot-kick in stoppage time after Ashley Young appeared to have been fouled by Harry Maguire inside the area. However, following a VAR review, Madley overturned his original decision, denying Everton the opportunity to secure all three points.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Moyes said, “I’ve had a look at it, and [Maguire] undoubtedly pulls his jersey. After that, you have to make your own mind up. I thought the on-field decision looked the correct decision. I was a bit surprised [the referee] was asked to go to VAR because I thought it looked difficult to change your mind on that. But when you go to VAR, it’s as if the people who are watching on a screen understand more. It went against us today. I’m not going to complain too much about it but today it just didn’t go for us.”

The Premier League Match Centre account on X stated that the VAR on duty deemed that “no foul had been committed and recommended an on-field review.” United manager Ruben Amorim believed that Madley’s decision to cancel the penalty was the correct one, saying, “I think it was a soft touch from what I saw. I think it was a soft penalty, it was clear.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the penalty decision, Amorim was critical of his team’s overall performance, particularly their slow start to the match. United found themselves trailing 2-0 at halftime after goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucouré, with the visitors displaying suspect defending. Although United managed to stage a comeback in the second half, with goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, Amorim expressed his frustration with his team’s tendency to start matches slowly.

“The worst part is that we have the free men, and we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we are supposed to do,” Amorim told TNT Sports. “We did not exist in the first half. … We suffered two goals from second balls, and that was clear that they will create that chances by second balls, we were soft. When you go to the game and you let the time pass — it’s really hard. The second half was so much better in belief, and in the end we were near to winning this game.”

Amorim admitted that he doesn’t yet have the solutions to United’s problems, as they continue to languish in 15th place in the Premier League table, having won just one of their past five league games. “I don’t know. If I knew, I would change it,” he said. “We need to focus on day-by-day; we need to survive this season and then think ahead.”