Moyes furious as Collina denies Everton

Top referee Pierluigi Collina was at the centre of controversy as Everton’s association with the Champions League ended in heartache.

The Italian official chalked off Duncan Ferguson’s header in the 80th minute for an infringement involving his team-mate Marcus Bent.

Bent, who shrugged off an ankle injury to play, was adjudged to be guilty of barging as the ball came in.

Had the goal stood it would have levelled the scores up in this third qualifying round game against Villarreal.

Everton manager David Moyes could not disguise his anger at the decision.

“It was a definite goal by us,” he said after the 4-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of the Spanish side.

“At the time you have to trust the referee to make the right decision. But he has not made the right decision.

“To get that chalked off was not right. He made a big mistake.

“Our first objective was to get the tie back to level but we were denied that chance.”

Ferguson’s effort came after some sustained pressure from Everton which saw a superb equaliser from Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill’s cross rattle the bar.

But by pushing men forward they were left exposed at the back and Diego Forlan wrapped things up by sweeping home a cross from Juan Pablo Sorin.

With a 2-1 deficit to try and overturn from the first leg, Everton were dealt a hammer blow when Sorin made the breakthrough, his shot from distance taking a deflection off David Weir.

Cahill should have given Everton the lead earlier, however, sending a tame header into the arms of Mariano Barbosa from close range.

Goalkeeper Nigel Martyn made a string of superb saves before Arteta pulled the sides level with a superb free-kick.

But Everton could not kick on and will now participate in the UEFA Cup instead of the lucrative stages of the Champions League.

Moyes saluted his players for the way they rallied against a team that finished third in the Spanish League last season.

“I told them that if they were going to go out they had to make sure our supporters knew they had done everything possible to be in it,” he said.

“I appreciate the fans’ support, they came in their thousands. We were unlucky not to have taken the game into extra time.

“It was a real tough game and I am proud of the way my players responded.”

Ferguson was right out of luck. A minute before his effort was disallowed, Barbosa made a breathtaking save from his header, pushing the ball over the bar.

Moyes added: “I cannot say we were the better team on the night but we were always in the match.

“We lost a goal to a deflection and that deflated us for a while after a bright start. Then there was a scramble right at the end but no-one was able to get a touch when we needed it.”