Everton boss David Moyes refused to condemn Newcastle United midfielder Kevin Nolan after his clash with Victor Anichebe during yesterday's stalemate.

Nolan was deservedly sent off two minutes before the break for an ugly lunge at Anichebe which ended the striker's participation.

Nolan, who now faces a three-match ban having already racked up 10 yellow cards this season, later apologised to both the striker and Moyes.

Moyes said: "It was a sending-off and it was a bad tackle, but I have not known Kevin Nolan to be that type of player.

"I hope he mistimed it. I have been a player myself and I don't think I have ever gone out to hurt anybody.

"But it was undoubtedly a red card, undoubtedly a bad tackle and we certainly have a sore boy in Victor Anichebe.

"He (Nolan) just said sorry, so that was it, you move on."