Moyes Relishing Benitez Reunion

Blues boss looking forward to Chelsea clash.

Everton boss David Moyes is relishing the prospect of renewing acquaintances with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday.

The Spaniard spent  six years on the other side of Stanley Park and Moyes is pleased to see the former Inter Milan and Valencia coach back in English football.

“It was always tough because Liverpool always had a great team under him,” said Moyes. “It was always very hard to get a result against him, it really was.

“I think he always wanted to come back to the Premier League. I think he enjoyed his stint here. Like many people that come to this country, I think he enjoyed the honesty, the way the Premier League is played, and I think he has bided his time to get another job. Good on him, he is at a very good club.”

With Chelsea fans reluctant to back their new man, Moyes added that he felt Benitez will win them over if he continues to deliver results.

“Rafa’s doing a very good job,” he insisted. “He has inherited a really good team, with some very good players and you would expect them to win games.

“It’s a great club – they are European Champions. You have always got a chance to win games when you have the players they have got. I don’t think it’s any surprise that they are winning games.”

However, Moyes is adamant that his side will go all out to retain their unbeaten home record.

“Goodison has always been very good for us,” he said. “This time last year that wasn’t the case- we hadn’t won in the early part of last season. But we have had a good run at Goodison.

“It’s a tough place to come and play. The crowd are on you and they are on our players as well because if you are not good enough to take the ball and play and do the right things, they can be as critical to our players as they are to the opposition.

“But I enjoy it, it’s an old fashioned stadium, and one that generates a lot of atmosphere.”