Phil Jagielka said he was left "speechless" by the decision to allow Manchester City's second goal as he criticised the "arrogant" officials in Everton's Capital One Cup semi-final defeat.
Jagielka captained the Everton side who lost 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium, to suffer a 4-3 aggregate loss, after the ball went out before Raheem Sterling crossed for Kevin De Bruyne to score.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez said the decision to permit the goal was a "killer" and was "hurtful and unfair" and defender Jagielka was also annoyed.
"It is really hard," the England international said. "You know your luck is obviously not in when the deflection goes in for the first goal and then as the game is heating up and they are piling on the pressure, some decisions that still bemuse me know -- throw-ins given for I don't know what... Unfortunately the ball was out of play, I'm pretty speechless.
"It was still a great cutback and a great finish but the replays show it is not just an inch or so out. You expect the officials that are supposed to be of a high standard to spot that but tonight obviously wasn't one of those nights."
Jagielka said he attempted to talk to referee Martin Atkinson, explaining: "I tried to. He told me that my defending was brilliant, so it is difficult when things start going the wrong way and they become a little bit arrogant -- but unfortunately that is the way it goes with some.
"If he made a decision wrong or he didn't see it that is what happens, but sometimes when you go and speak to people and, in such a big game, get the answers you get it is that little bit more frustrating."
Everton have been frustrated by some of the decisions that have gone against them recently, including the award of the last-minute penalty Stoke scored in their 4-3 win at Goodison Park and officials' inability to see that John Terry was offside when he scored Chelsea's equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge.
And Jagielka believes they have continued to be unfortunate, adding: "It did happen quite quick but the way things have gone in the last few games, people can't see offsides and people can't see the ball out of play. We are obviously feeling a bit annoyed at some of the decisions we have got recently.
"As far as luck goes, we are massively frustrated. It's a bitter pill to swallow when you get in the changing room and realise the goal that changed the game was so far out."