Moyes praise for Alcaraz after new signing scores Everton winner

15/02/2025 22:56

The Toffees finish a fine week with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace

Everton came away from Crystal Palace with a 2-1 win that required equal parts defensive fortune and attacking pragmatism to keep the good times rolling since David Moyes has returned to the Toffees.

The victory makes it four wins in the last five games with the Blues drawing level with the Eagles on points in thirteenth place, ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and West Ham, with the latter pair having sacked Moyes in previous years.

After Beto made it four goals in four games with another fine finish late in the first half, the hosts leveled scores early in the second stanza before January deadline day signing Carlos Alcaraz smashed home a loose ball to make it 2-1, a lead the Blues did not relinquish again.

Speaking after the game, Moyes wasn't necessarily pleased with how his side had played in the first half, given that the side were coming off an exhausting and emotional evening in a 2-2 draw in the last ever Goodison Park derby against Liverpool where James Tarkowski nabbed the equalizer well into added time.

"It was a great win because for large parts we weren't at our best. I think Wednesday night took so much out of them but fortunately we got a goal in front which gave us something.

"I thought our defenders the second half and especially late on, did a great job defensively. I was annoyed with how we played in the first half and then we gave a goal away soon after the start of he second half. I though Crystal Palace were on top and thankfully we got the goal and the three points."

Beto has rounded into form in recent weeks with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti all injured, and recently credited Moyes with boosting his confidence.

"Everyone need an opportunity in life and in football you need that chance. I think he is getting better and we are beginning to understand him a bit more. I have got to say, he has done brilliantly well."

The 22-year-old Alcaraz has made a couple of substitute appearances and marked his first full start with a goal and an assist.

"We knew a bit about him when he came in in terms of energy and being a young player who can improve. We are so short on numbers but I think they are doing a brilliant job at the moment. The wins are taking us away from that relegation battle.

"We played him today and I think he did great for us and he got the goal. I thought he started to tire midway through the second half and he started to look as though he was getting cramp.

"It was lucky I didn't take him off because he got the goal and after that we decided to change. But I am really pleased he has had a good start because we're so short of players, we're so short of players at the moment and we just can't afford any more injuries or we're really struggling then."

Speaking of the relegation battle, the Blues' concerns about the drop seem to be rapidly diminishing with Everton as close to the Champions League as they are the relegation zone in terms of points.

"Of course there's still huge caution. But I want to start believing that we can be better now.

"I want more improvement, I want to see more improvement from the players as well. I want us to play better when we can but I don't want them to lose the good habits that they've got.

"They've been tough, resilient, committed to all the things which are, when you're not quite so good, you've got to make sure you do those bits well."

After a loss to start his second stint at the club, Moyes now has four wins and a draw in his last five games.

"To come back to Everton was something I hoped would happen and I didn't expect it to happen. It is great to be accepted again and the fans have been brilliant. Even today, we had a brilliant support with us because I think they are starting to believe a bit more in us and the team. Everton has had a difficult period and I certainly think there is light at the end of the tunnel now with the new owners coming in.

"We want the players to be positive and play in the way they feel good about themselves and we want to create chances."