Moyes criticises Fabregas

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
29 Dec	5:15 PM	P	Everton (A)	4	1	Win

Everton boss David Moyes has criticised midfielder Francesc Fabregas, who clashed with Mikel Arteta during the Gunners' 4-1 win of Everton.

Arteta was subsequently sent off when Fabregas was being treated by physio Gary Lewin.

Moyes said: "Fabregas obviously has a broken jaw or he would not have rolled around like he did."

He was even more incensed after Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner was sent off via two yellow cards for two horror tackles that could easily have been straight red cards as well.

He added: "I don't make the rules, it was probably the wrong decision by the referee to show a yellow for (Bendtner's) tackle, it should have been a straight red.

"It doesn't help our case, but it's over now. I can't do anything about it.

"I have said since the derby (with Liverpool in October) that I will not get involved too much with referees, we will just have to take it.

"But compare the incidents. We lose Mikel for three games while Bendtner only misses one for two yellows, you should see the state of Johnson's shin.

"We won't be appealing, you have seen what happens to everyone else when they appeal these days."

User Comments

Shaker

Posted on 1 Jan, 2008 at 07:38 AM - Reply

Moyes - You need to shut up! Everton got beat fair and square. I agree that a 4-1 scoreline did not justify how well they played but we beat them at thier game. So please, stop whining and show some respect.

Scotty

Posted on 31 Dec, 2007 at 08:44 PM - Reply

The fact of the matter is Arteta did raise his hand/arm towards Cesc's face, where he actually caught him. Regardless of the reaction, doing so is a sending off offence. Bendtner was lucky not to get a straight red, but he did not. Why does he not go on about Arteta, Neville and Yukubu's blatent attemps to cheat and con the referee by diving, all of which went unpunished.

Gerry Morrison

Posted on 31 Dec, 2007 at 06:42 PM - Reply

Moyes is right. We need consistency in the game.

Simon

Posted on 31 Dec, 2007 at 06:32 PM - Reply

Oh dear, sadly David Moyes continues to make himself look like a whinger. This is a shame because he is a decent manager doing a good job, and this lets him down. The problem is not Fabregas, but the result. Arsenal played an away fixture and as one would expect Everton had more of the posession. However in football, posession is not nine tenths of the law. Arsenal were more intelligent at the back and had the best goal poacher on the pitch in the shape of Eduardo. Arsenal showed the hallmark of a top team, they made their posession tell. It comes from playing European football and being focused. However, lets return to the sendings off etc. During this match there were 27 fouls, 14 committed by Everton, 13 by Arsenal. Everton had one player with a straight red, Arsenal had 5 yellows and a red. Do the math Mr Moyes, the ref was lenient on your team for over 80 minutes. Had the refereeing been shall we say more even handed, Everton could have finished the game with 8 players. Arsenal exploited Evertons complacency on the ball. They were guilty of believing that because they were in possession and pushing that Arsenal would not score and they would win. When you play the best teams you have to realise that a moments lack of focus at any time can see you concede a goal. Arsenal are probably the best at that kind of exploitation in the game at this time. That's why Everton lost. Incidentally Mr Moyes, elbowing and raing the arm is dangerous or violent conduct and is a straight red, regardless of degree of contact. A mis-timed tackle is not. Last season Arsenal were the most fouled team in the premiership yet received less free kicks and opponents getting away with it receiving the least free kicks. Do the math David.

jane

Posted on 31 Dec, 2007 at 05:49 PM - Reply

Grow up Moyes, dont like a bit of your own, accept the defeat, and an ugly one at that... good to see Arsenal play a long ball - maybe we learned off of you last season!!!!!!!!!!!

Pádraig

Posted on 31 Dec, 2007 at 02:29 PM - Reply

Two horror tackles? The first yellow was given for Bendtner mouthing off to the referee.

And how many times did Everton dive in that match?

Also, Arteta did a similar thing to Clichy earlier on in the game!

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