‘Absolutely Woeful’ – Pundit rages over what officials did in Everton v Nottm Forest

Despite Everton’s 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park on Sunday, Michael Ball felt that the game’s officiating was terrible.

Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White’s goals gave the Toffees a resounding loss in a game that was full of controversy on December 29, ending their four-game winning streak.

Fans were devastated when Jarrad Branthwaite dived in on Gibbs-White again, and Mike Dean feels that James Tarkowski should have been sent out for a tackle on Wood late in the first half when he was already on a yellow.

With the refereeing quickly becoming a major point, Ball hit out at the officials and wrote on X (29 December): “The officials are absolutely woeful today at Goodison.”

Michael Ball slams referees in Everton loss v Nottingham Forest

As a former Everton player, Ball seemingly felt Sean Dyche’s side were hard done by the referees in the game, but did not provide further explanation about his criticism.

However, the Toffees’ performance was far from ideal, and they are unable to justify the outcome.
Perhaps Tarkowski was fortunate to stay on the field following his foul on Wood.