David Moyes has sparked a furious reaction among Hull City supporters after reportedly identifying a controversial 64th-minute decision by Sergej Jakirović during the thrilling 2–2 draw against Everton, with his post-match interview clip attracting widespread attention among Tigers fans.
The Everton manager was asked by a journalist to assess Hull City’s performance and explain what rating he believed the home side deserved after an entertaining contest against his team. His response, however, has reportedly left supporters questioning whether their players received the recognition they deserved.
Moyes acknowledged that Hull City produced an impressive performance, praising their resilience, determination and ability to remain competitive despite Everton enjoying more possession throughout the encounter. Nevertheless, his reported decision to award the Tigers just 6.0 out of 10 has become a major talking point, with many supporters expressing anger over what they consider an unfair assessment.
Moyes believed that his side controlled significant periods of the match but admitted that Hull City’s refusal to surrender made the contest considerably more difficult than Everton might have anticipated.
The result left both teams sharing the points after an intense battle, but the discussion surrounding the performance quickly shifted from the final score to the tactical decisions that shaped the game.
Moyes suggested that Hull City deserved credit for their determination but also highlighted a moment when he believed the home side’s manager had made a decision that could have had serious consequences.
The 64th minute became the centre of attention as the Everton boss allegedly questioned Jakirović’s judgement, arguing that one particular decision had given Everton an opportunity to take greater control of the contest.
The suggestion that a managerial decision could have nearly cost Hull City the game has generated considerable interest, especially among supporters who believe the team’s performance deserved more praise.
Moyes made it clear that his assessment was not intended to dismiss Hull City’s efforts. Instead, he pointed to Everton’s greater share of possession while acknowledging that the Tigers remained focused, organised and determined to avoid defeat.
Speaking during the interview, Moyes said: “Honestly, Hull City played fantastic football, and I think they deserve a 6.0 rating. That is not a bad rating for such a wonderful performance. We had more possession, but they were resilient, focused and determined not to lose. They made life difficult for us.”
However, the conversation allegedly took a more dramatic turn when Moyes discussed the player who caught his attention after being introduced during the second half.
The Everton manager reportedly expressed surprise at the quality of Hull City’s attacking options, suggesting that a player capable of causing such problems for his defenders should have been given a more prominent role.
That player was Mohammed Belloumi.
Belloumi’s introduction reportedly made a significant impression on Moyes, who was said to have been struck by the attacking threat he brought to the contest. His movement, confidence and willingness to challenge defenders allegedly forced Everton’s back line to work harder and adjust to the fresh problems emerging in the closing stages.
Moyes added: “I did not realise Hull City had a player with those qualities. The moment Mohammed Belloumi came on, he gave our defenders nightmares. They could hardly breathe because he kept causing problems. If I had the chance to coach him, I would make sure he played the full 90 minutes because he has the ability to trouble any defence.”
Moyes questioned why Jakirović had kept the winger on the bench for so long, particularly when his qualities appeared capable of making a difference against Everton.
The 64th-minute decision consequently became the central issue in the debate, with supporters examining whether Hull City could have benefited from introducing the player earlier or giving him more time to influence the contest.
For Moyes, the concern was reportedly straightforward: Belloumi had demonstrated qualities that could trouble defenders, and the Everton boss believed he would want to maximise those abilities if he were responsible for coaching the player.
His assessment also raised questions about whether Hull City’s manager had fully recognised the attacking potential available to him before making his substitutions.
Those remarks have fuelled the reaction among Hull City supporters, many of whom are reportedly furious about the 6.0 rating and believe their team’s resilience against Everton deserved greater recognition.
Some supporters have questioned how Moyes could praise Hull City’s football, acknowledge their determination and recognise the problems they created while still giving them a score they consider disappointing.
Others have focused on Jakirović’s decision-making, arguing that Belloumi’s reported impact raises legitimate questions about the timing of his introduction and whether he should have been trusted with more playing time.
The debate has also highlighted the importance of substitutions in closely contested matches. An attacking player introduced at the right moment can change the tempo, stretch a defence and create opportunities that were previously difficult to find.
Hull City’s 2–2 draw against Everton has therefore become the subject of a wider discussion about tactical judgement, player selection and the fine margins that can determine a result.
For the Tigers, the biggest question is whether Jakirović made the right decision in the 64th minute or whether an earlier introduction for Belloumi could have changed the balance of the contest.
Meanwhile, Moyes’ reported assessment has added another layer to the debate, with supporters continuing to question whether Hull City deserved more than a 6.0 rating for their performance.
Was Jakirović wrong to keep Mohammed Belloumi on the bench, or did the Hull City manager make the right decision despite the criticism?
