Poll 'cheat' storm leaves beaten Everton boss Moyes down and out

Graham Poll was involved in a new storm as Everton crashed out of the Carling Cup at Goodison Park last night.

The controversial referee, who outraged Chelsea by sending off skipper John Terry on Sunday, showed Everton striker James McFadden a straight red card for dissent immediately after rejecting penalty appeals for a challenge on Andy Johnson by Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

After pointing a disbelieving McFadden towards the tunnel, Poll turned to Everton midfielder Tim Cahill and was seen to say: "He called me a f****** cheat."

But after Everton's 1-0 defeat, an incensed manager David Moyes claimed Poll had misheard McFadden's outburst. The Scotland forward was marched into the post-match press conference to state his case.

After stressing that McFadden would not take any questions about the 19th-minute flashpoint, Moyes handed over to his £1.5million signing from Motherwell, who said: "The referee made his decision, and as I ran back, I said to him: 'That's f****** sh** e'."

Moyes was reluctant to be drawn into the latest flashpoint involving Poll, who was hounded out of last summer's World Cup after producing three yellow cards for the same player before belatedly sending him off.

But he admitted Everton may take their grievance to the FA should there be grounds for an appeal over the disputed version of events. Moyes said: "I don't know whether you can appeal over something like that. We haven't looked at it yet.

"I haven't had the chance to speak to Graham Poll. The fourth official told me the word 'cheat' had been used, but, as James has just said, that was not the case.

"The 10 men fought to the very end and tried so hard, and it was a killer to go out to such a soft goal so near the end."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger behaved impeccably throughout and shook hands with Moyes and his coaching staff at the end.

But he again refused to attend any media interviews following his FA charge of improper conduct for his touchline bust-up with West Ham's Alan Pardew on Sunday.