David Moyes was speaking after his Everton side lost 2-0 to Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon

David Moyes bemoaned the decision to book Harrison Armstrong for his challenge on Josh Acheampong in Everton’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, and thought Morgan Rogers might have been sent off for a second yellow card offence.

The Blues, who went into this contest unbeaten from their first eight matches this season, suffered their first loss this term as Pedro Neto bagged a brace with goals in the 46th and 90th minute in a contest that saw visiting goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stretchered off having suffered concussion following a challenge with Jarrad Branthwaite.

Everton teenager Armstrong picked up the first of seven yellow cards in a feisty contest, but many home supporters felt it was a fair challenge with Moyes questioning the decision to caution his midfielder.

He said: “If our football in this country is not going to allow them then I don’t know. We’ve got referees who we want to be the best in Europe, or think they’re the best, because they let things go.

“I thought it looked a half-decent tackle. Maybe somebody might tell me I’m wrong or tell me differently, but I wasn’t sure that it was the right decision.

“I was disappointed with the decision at the time. I had a wee look at the Morgan Rogers tackle on Jimmy [Garner], which, maybe some might have said something different, and I think that might have made a second yellow, it wasn’t the case.”

Moyes, whose team won the corresponding fixture last season 3-0 on March 21, felt that this was a much closer contest. He said: “Well, we weren’t at our best for most of the game but I didn’t think there was a huge amount between the teams at periods. They had more because of their quality and the levels they’ve got. But when I look back at the goals, the first one I was really disappointed with but it takes a deflection and sort of rolls into Neto.

“We had sort of covered the cutback, even though we didn’t defend well.

“Then obviously the free-kick bounces down and settles for Chelsea as well. So, I think the run of the ball went in Chelsea’s favour when it was most required.

“Were they better than us? Yeah, I think so, but I didn’t think they were hugely better for certain periods of game.”

Moyes finally handed a debut to former Denmark international Christian Norgaard over two months after his transfer from Arsenal. The 32-year-old played just 101 minutes in the Premier League for the Gunners in 2025/26 as Mikel Arteta’s side were crowned champions.

The Blues boss cautioned before kick-off that Norgaard still has a long way to go in terms of regaining his sharpness and after he too went into the book when conceding the free-kick that led to Chelsea’s second goal Moyes said: “I think everybody will probably have seen that today and we know that but we’re trying to get him back. We’re trying to get them some minutes into him.”