Premier League news: Everton boss David Moyes backs Toffees squad after dramatic Man Utd draw
Everton manager David Moyes has admitted that he must find a way to make his small squad work after a poor summer transfer window.
The Toffees twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, with Tyrique George and Ainsley Maitland-Niles cancelling out strikes from Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško.
Maitland-Niles was signed from Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais on deadline day and enjoyed a dream debut thanks to his stoppage-time equaliser.
Moyes finding a way
Speaking after the game, Moyes said on Sky Sports: “For periods, we played well. I thought Man Utd played better than they have done in their other games.
“The first goal we concede is shabby, but I thought if anyone was going to go on and win the game after we equalise, it would be us. I set out to win.
“For us, to give the crowd moments, it was a big moment – but I wanted to win and I thought we were capable of winning. I need to win my home games.
“You don’t plan as a manager to equalise in the last minute, but I thought the boys did amazing to keep running. We did well to ride their pressure and we got the great finish to end.
“Sometimes when you’ve got less players, it means everyone has to be ready. Players on the fringes are going to have to show why they deserve to be involved.
“When you’ve got a small squad, you have to find a way to make it work.”
Maitland-Niles praises Everton fight
Maitland-Niles, meanwhile, revealed his thoughts about life at Everton in a chat with the club’s website, saying: “All the boys are great. The gaffer’s great as well. We’re looking forward to doing more work together.
“We’ve got the quality in our team to be able to win games, come up with draws, show fighting spirit.
“It’s a fighting team. From the first few days I entered the pitch with the rest of the team, you could see they’re fighters.
“If you’re not a fighter here, they won’t respect you. So, you have to earn your respect by fighting as much as they do – if not more.
“We’ve got quality out wide, quality in the middle, quality all over, so we can definitely do something this season.”
On the atmosphere at Hill Dickinson, Maitland-Niles added: “It’s louder than Goodison [Park], put it that way – and Goodison was really rocking when I was there.
“Goosebumps. Words can’t describe how I feel.”
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