Source: Telegraph
David Moyes praises Everton's resilience
Since Everton's stoppage-time home defeat to Aston Villa on Dec 7, Moyes' side have gone five games unbeaten without conceding a goal. And in that time they have lost four strikers and been forced to play midfielder Tim Cahill up front. [LNB]Now Everton are sixth spot in the Barclays Premier League with the chance to secure a European place when they could have crumbled after the damaging defeat by Villa. [LNB]Moyes' team face Hull at home on Saturday before a daunting fixture schedule that includes two away games with Liverpool – one an FA Cup fourth-round tie – and a home match with Arsenal ahead of a trip to face Manchester United on Feb 2. [LNB]The Scot admits the Villa setback looks to have been the turning point in Everton's season. [LNB]"The biggest thing is the reaction since the Villa game," he said. "We could have gone one way or the other after that, it could have affected us. [LNB]"But the players deserve a lot of credit for the way they have gone about it since."[LNB]Moyes is aiming for only Everton's third home league win of the season against Hull. Moyes' injury problems could be eased with the return from injury of defender Joseph Yobo, who has missed three games with a hamstring problem. [LNB]Yobo's absence has given former England Under-21 left-back Leighton Baines the opportunity of a run in the side, so Moyes could have a selection headache to contend with when the Nigerian returns. [LNB]He said: "Leighton has done well in the games he has played. He has been doing fine, there is a good player there and we know that. But the competition is stiff. [LNB]"That is what happens when you come to big clubs. The competition will always be tough. [LNB]"We have that at the back with Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka and Yobo. That is tough competition."[LNB]Baines has a difficult time since joining Everton in a £6 million deal from Wigan in August 2007, with a number of ill-timed injuries. [LNB]But Lescott has done so well at left-back, Baines' chances have been limited and Moyes can understand any frustrations the 24-year-old has had. [LNB]He said: "He will obviously want to play more. I do not think he accepts the situation and nor do I want him to accept it. He wants to play, which is good. [LNB]"But Lescott probably became as good a left-back as there was in the country last season. [LNB]"Joleon has ended up developing and been capped for England due to his form at left-back. That is where the competition has come from." [LNB]
