Moyes: we’re paying penalty for AJ dive row

AFTER a week when his honesty inside the penalty area has been questioned in several quarters, Everton striker Andy Johnson has emerged a confused and angry man.

The England striker, claim Everton sources, made a conscious effort to change his style of play in the last two games to counteract the constant suggestions that he is a diver.

This followed discussions with boss David Moyes about the growing uproar — fuelled by Premiership managers like Neil Warnock and Arsene Wenger — that he goes down too easily in the penalty area.

But Everton and Johnson believe he has been denied two clear penalties — one against Fulham on Saturday after a challenge by Ian Pearce and the other on Wednesday in the Carling Cup tie against Arsenal by Philippe Senderos.

The club and player feel he is suffering now because of the reputation he has acquired.

Moyes said: “I definitely feel that Andy is now being punished because of what other people have been saying about him.

“People are talking about our players instead of keeping their mouths shut.

“We have certainly missed a couple of penalty awards in the last couple of games, never mind any other matches beforehand.”