Webb slammed after Chelsea v Everton incident as ‘broadcasters bullied into silence’
Howard Webb has been called out in the wake of another controversial VAR incident during the clash between Chelsea and Everton.
David Moyes’ side were defeated by a single Nicolas Jackson goal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 26 April, with the Toffees showing very little fight to get anything out of the game.
Thanks to a brilliant run of form since Moyes’ arrival, relegation is no longer a fear at Goodison Park, which could be a reason for the lack of commitment and energy during the clash.
However, many believe that the Merseysiders were robbed of an opportunity to level from the penalty spot following a collision between Vitaliy Mykolenko and Robert Sanchez.
The incident saw a free-kick awarded in Chelsea‘s favour, but after taking serious issue with the decision, Richard Keys has hit out at Webb’s running of the PGMOL, and at broadcasters for not adequately these mistakes through incompetence or as a result of being “bullied” into keeping quiet.
Chelsea v Everton controversy a cause for concern for Howard Webb
Taking to his personal blog (28 April), Keys wrote: “Everton should’ve had a penalty at Chelsea. Mykolenko was penalised for clattering into Sanchez, but it was actually the other way round.
“You could see Chris Kavanagh explaining to Doucoure he believed Sanchez had the ball under control when the collision occurred – except he didn’t. He’d already spilt it. It should’ve been a pen.
“Everton’s players knew it should’ve been a pen, and I know David Moyes thought it was as well. Where was VAR then? When Howard Webb announces at the end of the season he’s marked his own homework and got 10/10 again, errors like that don’t get included.
“There have been dozens like it this season, but because domestic broadcasters don’t do their jobs properly – or have been bullied into not making a fuss about decisions – errors like this don’t get picked up.”
David Moyes already thinking ahead of Everton season finished
Football Insider verdict
While it is a rather frustrating result, and one that could have been changed by a different referee or VAR official, the concerns will likely already be forgotten about on Merseyside.
Relegation is not on the cards anymore, and while Moyes has not giving anything away about his Everton future, supporters will be eager for him to stay on and lead the team into the 2025/26 campaign.
| Manager | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
| David Moyes | 16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 31.3 |
With the season coming to an end and the summer transfer window about to open, supporters are beginning to get excited about the potential signings under The Friedkin Group‘s reign.
Everton have already been linked with Evan Ferguson, who has struggled on loan at West Ham from Brighton, while Sunderland’s Chris Rigg is another being involved in the conversation this summer.
It is very early stages yet for fans to be getting attached to potential signings, with the window not even open yet, but the early signs are promising and the rumour mill is only going to continue spinning.