Bily Toffees debut impresses Moyes

18 September 2009 15:38
Everton manager David Moyes praised new signing Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for an impressive full debut in the 4-0 Europa League victory over a poor AEK Athens side at Goodison Park. The £9million former Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder set up the first two goals for Joseph Yobo and Sylvain Distin with corners. Steven Pienaar added a third with a 25-yard strike before the interval, and Jo scored a late fourth. "He came off with a groin strain, which was disappointing because we wanted to give him as much time as possible," he said. "But I think he enjoyed it and I think we enjoyed him as well. There are early signs he could be a good player." Carlos Araujo was sent off in the 55th minute for a foul on Distin. But disappointingly for Everton, Louis Saha was dismissed for flapping an arm at Juanfran in injury time. Moyes was not impressed with UEFA's experiment with goalline assistants, especially when it came to Saha's red card. "It was disappointing. It was a ridiculous kick the boy has on Louis before he got sent off," said the Toffees boss. "It is amazing that they [the officials] see the small arm but don't see the big kick - even with the extra officials. "They were looking for something. But if they did they initially got it wrong, and not to see the kick in the box was really poor. We need to do everything we can to help the referees - but if he was helped in the Louis Saha (incident) then I think he was wrong." Moyes also criticised the AEK players for spending a lot of time on the floor. "It was strange. British supporters and teams are not used to seeing players on the ground so often," he said. "I've always said the one thing we have to cut out of football is diving, that is the biggest thing in football that is wrong at the moment." Everton paraded new signing Lucas Neill at half-time, after the defender signed a one-year contract. Moyes said he was pleased to have brought in the Australia international. "I'm pleased to have him. It gives us another player, especially with Phil Neville injured for another couple of months," he added. "It is very rare you can get a player after the window closes. But fortunately he was out of contract, and we were able to get him here."

Source: Eurosport