A simmering David Moyes refused to be drawn on his thoughts regarding the dismissal of Republic of Ireland international Jake O’Brien in the Toffees 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth.
In a post-match press conference that lasted two minutes and 40 seconds, Moyes could barely contain his annoyance after his side self-destructed to lose 2-1 at home.
The hosts looked in control, if not comfortable, after Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half penalty but they fell apart in eight second-half minutes to blow their chance of moving into sixth in the Premier League and enhancing their unlikely push for European football.
They twice conceded uncontested header and then had O’Brien sent off for bringing down Adli as he tried to race through.
“No opinion on it, no opinion on referees anymore,” he responded when asked for his opinion in the sending off.
Defeat was their fifth at Hill Dickinson Stadium – they have won only four and just once since 8 November – but Moyes was in no mood to offer any insight into why they are struggling so much at their new home.
“(We are) playing good teams in the Premier League. Bournemouth are a good team.”
“We probably missed a couple of half-chances, good chances, to get the second goal so we only have ourselves to blame, no-one else,” he said.
“The players are doing a great job here, we just didn’t have quite enough tonight.”