David Moyes has admitted both he and his players tore a strip off Jack Grealish after the winger’s red card against Wolverhampton Wanderers and said that a lack of discipline had “let down” everyone at Everton.
Grealish will return to face his former club Aston Villa on Sunday after serving a one-match suspension for his dismissal in the 1-1 draw at home to Wolves on January 7.
The 30-year-old was booked for sarcastically applauding the referee, Thomas Kirk, soon after receiving a first caution for dissent and was sent off for the first time in his Premier League career.
Moyes said Grealish had been left in no doubt about the impact of his “stupid” actions and hopes he comes back into the team with a point to prove as Everton look to steady their season.
Grealish was shown two yellow cards for dissent in a matter of minutes and has served a one-game suspension
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“He shouldn’t need to learn now, he is an experienced player and should know there are levels you can go and levels you cannot go to,” Moyes, the Everton manager, said.
“I didn’t look for an apology. I just told him what I thought of him and that was it really. I didn’t expect it [an apology]. Probably the words I said to him were strong enough that he didn’t need [to say] anything, you know.
“He certainly let us all down with his sending-off. We told him that after the game. And he was well told by the players inside the dressing room as well.
“But it can happen, you can get sent off. I thought he was stupid to applaud the referee but we have actually seen other incidents which weren’t sending-offs or bookings or second yellow cards. So there you go.”
The 30-year-old became a fan favourite at Everton and Moyes has previously spoken about making his loan permanent
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Grealish’s arrival at Everton on loan from Manchester City had initially reinvigorated a club and fan base craving new heroes.
He contributed four assists in his first two starts back in August, but had to wait a further 127 days until the 4-2 defeat by Brentford on January 4 to register his next two. In addition, Grealish has scored two goals.
There was an acknowledgement from Moyes that Grealish had suffered a dip in form, one which has done little to improve the player’s hopes of resurrecting his England career before the World Cup.
Moyes has previously spoken positively about the prospect of turning the loan into a permanent deal but, for now, he wants Grealish to rediscover his spark.
“We brought him [in] to be an influential player and, in the main, he has been an influential player for us,” Moyes said. “He has made things happen. He has given the crowd here something new. But his form had definitely dropped, he had a month or so when his form had dropped off and he hadn’t been as good.
“But I think there have been some signs that he is maybe getting back to things being a little bit better. I am hoping that we see that in the coming weeks.”
Aston Villa v Everton
Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm
TV Sky Sports