Moyes rues lacklustre display

Everton manager David Moyes has blamed a poor start for his side’s shock 2-1 League Cup defeat to Leeds at Elland Road on Tuesday.

Visitors Everton came into the match full of confidence, sitting third in the English Premier League after getting their campaign off to an impressive opening.

However, goals from Aiden White and Rodolph Austin put Leeds ahead, with Sylvain Distin’s late header no more than a consolation for Everton.

Moyes refused to blame the six changes he made as a reason for his team’s lack of fluency, preferring to point to a sluggish opening period.

“We started terribly, gave them the initiative and lost the game in the opening 20 minutes due to the way we started,” he told Sky Sports.

“We gave away a really poor first goal and left ourselves trying to get back into the game. We were not very good in the first half, but we got better in the second, but not as good as we’ve been playing.

“These boys are in the squad and have to be able to show they can come in and play. If you don’t use them, what’s the point in having them? The players want to play and be involved.

“It’s a chance if you get good draws and you play well. If you get difficult draws it makes it harder and so does not playing well. We had a combination of that.”

Leeds manager Neil Warnock was delighted with his side’s performance and was adamant they fully deserved their victory.

“They (Everton) wanted to win it – make no mistake – but I think we deserved it on the night,” he said.

“I thought we were a little bit sharper, we won the second balls and I think we should have scored one or two other goals, so we’re disappointed that we didn’t, but we never do anything easy.”