David Moyes has criticised referee Tony Harrington, after Everton’s defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s back-to-back defeats to the Toffees in the Premier League now, with Ezri Konsa and Gabriel on target for the hosts in a 2-0 victory. Konsa struck early on for Arsenal which made an already tough task even more difficult.

Everton did actually respond well to going a goal down. But Arsenal’s quality told and Gabriel’s goal ensured there would be no chance of a comeback.

It was a deserved three points for the home side, and Everton have now got to try and respond against Newcastle United next Monday.

After today’s game Moyes accepted his side just came up short, but he was not happy with referee Tony Harrington.

David Moyes drops verdict on referee Tony Harrington after Everton’s defeat to Arsenal

Speaking after the game, an irritated Moyes said about Harrington (via BBC Sport): “I don’t know (why he was booked). I felt for (the referee) today because I thought he was really poor, so I felt for him.”

Cameras showed Moyes shouting at Harrington at half-time as the pair walked down the tunnel.

On Sky Sports News after the game, pundit Paul Merson spoke about that incident, saying: “David Moyes won’t be happy. They get a corner and from the corner they score and he (Moyes) thinks it’s a foul on the halfway line. I haven’t seen it but I heard it on the commentary and that’s what he was arguing about. He wasn’t happy with that.”

Arsenal then proceeded to score their first set-piece goal of the season, and Everton conceded their first.

It was a terrible start to the game and one that immediately put Everton on the back foot – and that is the last thing Moyes would have wanted.

This was perhaps the most difficult game on paper all season, and it was paramount to start nice and solid. But the early goal just turned the hill into a mountain.

Harrington’s performance at the Emirates, which featured three yellow cards for Everton players, one for Arsenal and one for both managers, wasn’t great. He also stopped the game when Gabriel was down in his own area, even though it wasn’t a head injury.

But Everton cannot really be looking at the man in the middle as the reason they lost this game.

The Toffees simply weren’t good enough though across several departments.

But that said, this is not the kind of game that should be dwelt on too much. Arsenal are a great side and will again challenge for the league title.