Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “I did [on if Everton decided a point], but it looked as if it wasn’t going to be the case. We opened up a bit at the end as well, and Manchester United were countering. We had a couple of good defensive moments to stop them from making it three, but overall, we deserved to get that second goal, and it was an unbelievable goal as well.
On what he said in the Everton pre-match day programme: “I never doubted it [togetherness] from the fans, that was for sure. We need everyone here, and I thought today was a big moment, to come back, and get a draw in the end was great for the crowd. We want to keep progressing and we have a little momentum at the moment. A couple wins, a couple draws, so we have to try to keep that going.
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On the performance of his team: “Absolutely. They did, and I think that they will [the team working hard due to being a small squad]. We brought Jack [Grealish] on, and Jack has had a few minutes since the injury. [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles is getting minutes, but no real time to introduce him to what we are doing and how we hope he will play in his position. But overall, just the effort, Hayden Hackey came on as well, and made a big effort. So, I think there was a lot of positives to take from the game. The disappointing thing for me is I think we had enough chances, and we should have been clinical and you know, crossed it better, finished better, but as well as that, Manchester United had chances as well and played very well.
On new signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles: “He’s only been in a couple days really. Haven’t had much training time with him, but now we do know what he can do from outside the box.”
On wasted attacking chances: “It’s the forward players who are the ones who will get the most opportunities to create and score so that’s why I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t do it a bit better in the first half. I thought we had moments where we could have tried to capitalise on it and we didn’t, but in the end Tyrique [George] scored a very good goal as well. He played very well on the left, and when he also went out to the right. Let’s hope that he picks it up, he’s still a young boy learning his trade in the Premier League.
On if the performance will calm supporters from the lack of signings: “I don’t think they will be calm by that because they still know the size of the squad we got. Sometimes it gives players an opportunity to show what they can do. Sometimes, having too many players in the camp gives you problems behind the scenes, squads are too big, and players moan because they aren’t in it. Players will be given opportunities and that’s where they will be judged in how they do.”
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Did you know?
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Ainsley Maitland-Niles was the first player to score on his Premier League debut for Everton since Richarlison against Wolves in August 2018, and first English player since Andrew Johnson v Watford in August 2006. It was just his second goal in 110 Premier League appearances, and his first since December 2018 for Arsenal against Liverpool
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In his 15th appearance and from his 16th shot, Tyrique George scored his first Everton goal in all competitions. Aged 20 years and 214 days, he was the Toffees’ youngest league goalscorer since Jarrad Branthwaite against Chelsea in December 2021 (19y 172d).
