Chelsea picked up an impressive 2-0 win at Everton but were lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch according to one former referee

Former referee Mike Dean has backed Everton manager David Moyes after the Toffees chief's complaints about the officiating in their 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

Moyes expressed his displeasure at Harrison Armstrong's yellow card for his tackle on Josh Acheampong, and questioned whether Morgan Rogers should have received a second booking for a heavy challenge on James Garner.

The Toffees, who had been undefeated through their opening eight fixtures of the campaign, endured their maiden loss as Pedro Neto found the net twice, scoring in the 46th and 90th minutes.

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The encounter was further overshadowed by visiting goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez being carried off on a stretcher with concussion after a clash with Jarrad Branthwaite - with the keeper undergoing surgery on a fractured jaw.

Everton's young midfielder Armstrong was shown the first of seven yellow cards in a heated affair, though numerous home supporters believed the tackle was legitimate, with Moyes publicly challenging the official's judgement of his player.

Moyes stated: "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."

He continued: "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."

Former Premier League referee Dean, working as a pundit for Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, offered his view: "I think it's a minimum yellow. I called red straight away.

"When you see the angle we've seen now, he doesn't get the ball, Rogers. He might've just flicked it, but he catches him with his stud just on the inside of Garner's knee.

"I think it's a straight red me, I really do. I just think it's not a good tackle at all."