Moyes praises squad after tough cup win

Everton boss David Moyes has praised the attitude of his players after a hard-fought 2-0 FA Cup victory over Tamworth.

Everton failed to put clear distance between themselves and the Conference National side after Johnny Heitinga’s early opener but avoided a nervous ending as Leighton Baines converted a penalty in the 80th minute.

However, boss Moyes was pleased that his side were disciplined after being frustrated by their stubborn visitors.

“Tamworth did really well and kept at it and whilst it was only 1-0 they were in with a chance,” he said.

“We missed a few chances to make it 2-0 that would have put it to bed but for neutrals it kept the game alive.”

“While it was 1-0 Tamworth could keep running, keep trying to make things happen.”

“There was a threat from corners and free kicks but in truth I didn’t think there was much and without us playing well I thought we had a level of control to see the game.”

“Before today’s game you’re always nervous, worried about a banana skin, but I’ve got to praise the players for their attitude. We didn’t play well but our attitude was very good.”

The Scot is wary of talking up the importance of a cup run, given the possibility of a tough draw in the next round.

“I think for everybody at Everton a cup run is important but I could say that and tomorrow we could draw Manchester City away and that’s not what you want.”

“I said the other day you’re best not talking about cup runs until you’ve got a few rounds through, then you can start looking at what you’ve got.”

He also hinted at movement in the transfer window for the Toffees after Seamus Coleman added to the growing injury list.

“Coleman looks as if he’s reinjured a thigh strain he’s got,” he added.

“Everybody’s going to get injuries, we don’t need any more, but if you’re going to get injuries you might as well get them in the transfer window because you can attempt to do something about it.”

Meanwhile, Moyes’ opposite number, Tamworth manager Marcus Law, expressed his disappointment at conceding an early set piece, something his side had worked on at training.

“There’s an element of being very disappointed because we’ve spent a lot of time on dealing with set pieces and that’s where I felt their strengths were,” Law said.

“Maybe the occasion and a lack of focus in that first five minutes has gone against us but it just shows you what the small margins are in football.”

However, he went on to praise his side’s commitment, as they ran their Premier League opponents close.

“I know these boys, they’re a feisty group and very mentally strong. I knew that regardless what was going to happen today that we would be able to compete and be able to deal with the occasion,” he said.

“You can see that the difference between a mid-table Conference side and an elite Premier League club was a set-piece and a questionable penalty.”