Soccer: Everton manager David Moyes has hit back at Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger in a row over the conduct of Cesc Fabregas, claiming the latter suggested the Toffees bribed officials ahead of Arsenal's 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

Wenger claimed Moyes was wrong "to come out on what he pretends to have heard in the tunnel” after the Everton boss claimed Fabregas made “disgusting” comments towards officials this week. The Spaniard was alleged to have approached the fourth official at half-time to complain about the visitors’ goal.

Arsenal were angry Louis Saha had not been flagged offside before opening the scoring in the Barclays Premier League clash.

“I have to defend the integrity of Everton and David Moyes as well," Moyes said today. “I think it has been said I didn’t see it or I didn’t hear it. Well I was there and I saw it and I heard it. Cesc questioned Everton’s integrity by suggesting we possibly had given money to the referee.

“In doing that he also questioned the integrity of the referees. If I had said that or any other player had said that I think that would have warranted a sending off. I think Arsene said there was an unwritten rule that you don’t say things which are in the tunnel. Well his player was the one who broke the unwritten rule. Because what he did was question Everton football club, that we may be paying officials.”

Wenger has defended his player and said that only he spoke to referee Lee Mason at half-time. Moyes however has confirmed that he thought Fabregas was speaking to fourth official Kevin Wright.

“Cesc never swore once. He was very calm, very calculated. It wasn’t a rant or a rave like I’ve heard a lot people saying. It was just straight to the point and I thought it was out of order and he deserved to be sent off.

“I thought if I said that to the fourth official — who he did direct it to — I would have been sent off and the FA would be involved and probably fining me £8,000 again.”

Mason made no mention of any half-time incidents in his report and the Football Association will not be investigating.

Moyes added: “We have no intention of getting the FA involved. If the FA ask for information I won’t give them it. That doesn’t get me three points back. In truth I wouldn’t have even brought it up or mentioned it again if it wasn’t that it looks like Arsene seems to think I have not seen or heard it.”

Defeat at Arsenal has left Everton just three points above the relegation zone and still struggling to build momentum. The Merseysiders have won just two of their last 14 Premier League games and are anxious to put that right as out-of-form Blackpool visit Goodison Park tomorrow.

Ian Holloway’s promoted Seasiders are a point and two places better off than Everton but have experienced a reality check in recent weeks, losing on six of their last seven league outings.

Moyes said: “Ian’s doing a brilliant job. There are other managers doing great jobs but Ollie is certainly doing very well. I think people like them because of their attacking style. I think they make lots of opportunities, they give you opportunities and that makes the games open.

“If you take your chances you can get in front but if they take their they can be a handful. They have attacking options and some good players.”

Everton did not make any major signings during the January transfer window due to a lack of funds, not even managing to bring in loan players. But they can at least welcome back top scorer Tim Cahill tomorrow after a month away with Australia at the Asian Cup.

The 31-year-old scored nine times before joining up with his international colleagues after the Christmas programme, still four more than any other player.

Moyes said: “It’s great to have him back. He’s a big player for us and scores important goals.”