Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was left fuming after being hit with a "mind boggling" suspension, while David Moyes called out the "poor level" of Premier League refereeing following a "shabby decision" during his team's 1-1 draw against West Ham. Dewsbury-Hall was booked for a challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters, a decision that now sidelines him for Everton's next Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Yellow card woes for Dewsbury-Hall
Dewsbury-Hall’s suspension is a classic case of the Premier League’s cumulative card rules catching players at inopportune moments. His fourth booking came after a quick free-kick during a 2-1 Merseyside defeat to Liverpool on September 20, a call that also sparked outrage from team-mate Jack Grealish.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Mind boggling' madness on the pitch
The subsequent booking against West Ham has led to a one-match ben for Dewsbury-Hall, who took to X to vent his frustration. "Forgive me if I’m wrong, and I might be, but some of these decisions are so hard to take. Mind boggling," he wrote.
AFPMoyes calls out refereeing standards
Everton boss Moyes didn’t hold back either, branding the yellow card for Dewsbury-Hall a “shabby decision” while raising wider questions about officiating standards in the Premier League. Speaking after the match, Moyes said: "I think the decisions we've had at the moment [have been frustrating], but I think all the managers might be saying that at the moment. I mean there's been a general poor level at the moment. I thought the decision on Dewsbury-Hall was a really shabby decision."
Getty Images SportDewsbury-Hall: Everton’s midfield Engine
Since joining Everton from Chelsea in August for a fee reported at £28 million ($38m), Dewsbury-Hall has been an ever-present figure in the Toffees’ engine room. The midfielder has started all six league games this season, proving vital to Moyes’ plans. His absence against Crystal Palace on Sunday will be a significant blow for the Toffees, who are eager to build momentum after a mixed start to the campaign.
