Everton star Jack Grealish has slammed referee Darren England after a controversial incident overshadowed his side’s 2-1 Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool. The midfielder labelled the decision to caution Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for taking a quick free-kick as baffling, claiming he had “never seen” a player punished for it before.
Liverpool raced into a two-goal lead at Anfield through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike before Idrissa Gueye gave the Toffees hope with a second-half strike. Everton pushed for an equaliser, only for their momentum to be disrupted when Dewsbury-Hall was booked after trying to restart play swiftly.
Everton’s fightback falls short
Speaking to TNT Sports post-match, Grealish did not hold back:
“I’ve never seen a player in my whole life get booked for taking a quick free-kick… I don’t know where that rule has come in.” — Jack Grealish
Despite a sluggish first half, Everton rallied after the break, with David Moyes’ tactical adjustments giving them belief. Gueye’s composed finish set up a tense finale, but Liverpool held on. Grealish admitted the Toffees’ slow start cost them dearly:
“It was what I expected, coming here it was hostile, faster. I don’t think we played well in the first half… frustrating because if we had pressed like that from the start it would have been a different game.”
Grealish’s performance in numbers
The 29-year-old was one of Everton’s brightest sparks in the second half, combining creativity with tenacity.
| Stat (vs Liverpool) | Jack Grealish |
|---|---|
| Touches | 52 |
| Accurate passes | 18/24 (75%) |
| Key passes | 4 |
| Crosses (accurate) | 5 (2) |
| Dribble attempts (successful) | 2 (0) |
| Ground duels (won) | 13 (8) |
| Sofascore rating | 7.3 |
source: Sofascore match data – 20 September 2025
While his dribbling success was limited, Grealish created four key chances and showed his determination in duels, winning eight of 13. His energy embodied Everton’s spirited but ultimately unsuccessful push.
Analyst verdict: controversy masks Everton progress
FootballPlace analyst John William believes the refereeing row may distract from Everton’s positives:
“Grealish’s anger at the decision reflects how much the moment mattered, but Everton’s second-half display deserves credit. They showed resilience, pressing Liverpool into mistakes. The key now is starting games with that intensity rather than chasing them.”
Key insights
- Jack Grealish criticised Darren England for booking Dewsbury-Hall over a quick free-kick.
- Everton lost 2-1 despite Idrissa Gueye’s second-half goal.
- Grealish impressed with four key passes and a strong duel record.
- TNT Sports pundits Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist also questioned the referee’s decision.
- Everton now prepare for Wolves in the Carabao Cup before facing West Ham in the league.
What’s next?
David Moyes’ men will look to bounce back in midweek against Wolves in the Carabao Cup before returning to Premier League duty on 29 September against West Ham United.
For Grealish, the focus will be on turning frustration into fuel as Everton chase their first statement win of the campaign.
👉 Was Jack Grealish right to call out the referee, or did Everton’s slow start cost them more than one decision ever could?
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