Everton boss David Moyes insisted he had 'trust' in match officials after his side had four penalty claims turned down in their miserable goalless draw with Middlesbrough.
Moyes was left bitterly frustrated as strikers Andrew Johnson and Victor Anichebe (twice) were denied spot-kicks in the first half before midfielder Mikel Arteta suffered the same fate after the break.
The Toffees boss feels it has got to the point where it is futile to even claim for a penalty - although he said officials must be left to do their job.
'We've given up and we don't appeal (for penalties) now,' admitted Moyes. 'We don't even jump up on the touchline anymore.
'The people who are refereeing games, we trust them and we expect them to make the right calls.'
Everton's first appeal came within the opening two minutes as Johnson appeared to be hauled back by rookie Boro defender Andrew Taylor.
Johnson did not go to ground under Taylor's challenge but his furious appeal suggested he clearly felt the Boro full-back had impeded his movement.
'I haven't seen it (the Johnson penalty claim) but everybody I've spoken to said Andy has been pulled,' said Moyes.
'Andy reacted as if he'd been pulled back but I've not had a chance to see it again.'
Moyes added: 'We want the players to stay on their feet so you've got to decide who's doing it right and you just hope that you'll get your rewards for doing it correctly.'
