Moyes wary of Reading threat

Everton manager David Moyes has urged his side to remain focused ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Reading on Tuesday.

After a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a fourth-round replay, there is a danger Moyes’ men may feel a bit of a letdown coming up against Championship opposition.

But with Brian McDermott’s side having already accounted for English Premier League opponents West Brom in the third round and knocking out Liverpool in last season’s competition, Moyes has urged his troops to be on their game on Tuesday.

“It’s the FA Cup, you never know what is going to happen. Throughout the years, there’s always been results that you didn’t expect,” the Scot said.

“We’ve got to make sure that this is one that we do expect in trying to get Everton through.”

“I think Brian McDermott has done a great job down there with his team. He’s steadied Reading and it wasn’t too long ago that they were a Premier League team so we’ve got to be wary of that and mindful. They’ve had some good results themselves.”

Everton have endured a difficult league campaign and are in 10th place in the table – just five points clear of the relegation zone – and Moyes feels they have played without luck for much of the season.

“I think we’ve played well all season without getting the results,” he said.

“It’s beginning to look as if we can score a few goals which early on wasn’t the case.”

“We beat Blackpool and scored a few against Blackpool. We had a bad day at Bolton, but we’ve been to Chelsea and sorted it out. And we’ve won against Sunderland, so I’m hoping that we’re beginning to find a bit more consistency.”