Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Mon 16 March 2026 19:40, UK

David Moyes may not be pleased following confirmation that Sam Barrott will officiate Everton‘s clash with Chelsea next weekend.

Everton welcome Chelsea to Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday evening in the Blues’ first trip to the new ground.

The Toffees were unfortunate to lose 2-0 to Arsenal last time out, whereas Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at home to Newcastle United.

Ahead of the showdown on Merseyside, the Premier League announced on Monday that Barrott will referee the contest.

David Moyes has history with Sam Barrott

Barrott has overseen just a couple of Everton games so far this season – the 1-1 draw at home to West Ham in September and the 1-0 home loss to Arsenal in December.

Moyes was furious at Barrott in the Arsenal defeat as he felt Everton should have been awarded a late penalty.

William Saliba kicked Thierno Barry’s boot inside the box as the pair tried to get on the end of a loose ball.

Barrott did not point to the spot and Moyes was visibly fuming, although he managed to contain much of that fury when locked in conversation with the referee at full-time.

Speaking about the decision at the time, Moyes said: “I’d like to [repeat what I said], but I’d probably be fined in some ways. You need to find ways at Sky to talk to referees or don’t bother asking me.”

And that is not the only time Moyes has been displeased at Barrott. Less than a year ago, he was the man in the middle when allowing Liverpool’s winner to stand in the Merseyside derby.

Diaz was in an offside position prior to the late Diogo Jota striking. Moyes said he was “disappointed” at the officials and added: “I’m really surprised it wasn’t given – or maybe I’m not surprised.”

What is Everton’s record with Barrott as referee?

Everton have won just one of their six matches with Barrott as referee – a 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace in November 2023.

Since then the Toffees have lost four and drawn one, meaning he is clearly a very bad omen.

Everton were given a helping hand of sorts in their defeat to Arsenal as Andy Madley did not point to the spot when Kai Havertz was felled by Michael Keane.

Indeed, in an exclusive chat with Goodison News, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said the officials in the Arsenal game were “like the Chuckle Brothers”.

Everton and Moyes will just be eager for Barrott to not make any poor calls against the Blues, with the Toffees often on the end of questionable decisions against the division’s elite.

If the recent past is anything to go by, though, Moyes certainly will not be holding his breath.