Everton boss Moyes eyes FA Cup glory

Everton manager David Moyes wants to emulate holders Portsmouth and challenge the domination of the FA Cup by the Premier League's 'Big Four'.

The Merseysiders 1-0 victory away to fourth-tier Macclesfield saw them get through the third round, the first Cup hurdle for clubs in England's top two divisions, and meant Moyes avoided another embarrassing addition to his poor record in the competition with Everton.

Since taking over at Goodison Park in 2002, Moyes has struggled in England's premier knockout competition and success over League Two Macclesfield here Saturday was only his fifth Cup win in seven years in charge.

Last season Everton, currently sixth in the Premier League, were eliminated at the third round stage after losing at home to League One Oldham and Moyes has also presided over a defeat by Macclesfield's League Two rivals Shrewsbury Town.

But after making an early exit from the UEFA Cup, Moyes regards the FA Cup as Everton's only chance of a trophy this season.

Before Pompey's shock FA Cup triumph, Everton were the last club from outside the 'Big Four' of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal to win the tournament back in 1995.

Apart from resting Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, Moyes fielded a full-strength side against a team 76 places below Everton and his assistant manager Steve Round said: “The boss said to the players before the game that he wants to win the FA Cup this season.

“It was always going to be hard for us at Macclesfield. He made the players aware that this is not Barcelona and they were not going to go to Moss Rose and win 5-0.

“He told them it was Macclesfield and they would have to earn everything they got.

“The response he got was fantastic and the players really took on board what he had to say before the game,” Round added.

Midfielder Leon Osman's fourth goal of the season, towards the end of the first-half, ensured Moyes was glad he did not get his way on Friday afternoon.

Referee Peter Walton declared the game fit to go ahead, after an early pitch inspection, when the Everton manager was far from happy with the state of the playing surface.

Around 40 volunteers worked into the early hours of Friday morning to ensure Macclesfield could take their place as scheduled on third round day.

Now manager Keith Alexander is urging his team to build on this impressive performance and make a challenge for the play-offs.

“We have shown what we are capable of,” he said. “We have some good young players and that has to be our aim, to get up there and get into the play-off picture. I think we can do that.

“I am pleased with the way that my players caused Everton problems in the game. There is no way that we disgraced ourselves and that is something to be proud of. We had chances to have caused an upset and the only thing I can be disappointed in is the result.”