Moyes' Verdict On Man City Defeat & Tarkowski Update

David Moyes believes it “says a lot” that his team are disappointed to lose to Manchester City – after the Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat against the reigning Premier League champions at Goodison Park.

Two late goals from the visitors edged them over the line in a tightly-contested contest on Saturday afternoon.

Nico O’Reilly poked Man City into the lead on 84 minutes, before Mateo Kovacic’s first-time sliding effort eight minutes later sealed the victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.

It was a close game, acknowledges Moyes, who – speaking to evertontv after the game – says he wanted to see more of an impact from his second-half substitutes.

“We did a lot of good things, but just didn't have enough to get us over the line,” he remarked. “The people we brought in didn't make a difference in the game when we needed it to happen.

“So, yes, [there are] little bits of disappointment in that. But overall, the players have been great, and I can't complain. We're disappointed to lose against Man City. It says a lot. And for 60 minutes, we've done well today, I thought.”

Despite City having more than 67 per cent of possession, the game’s statistics were more evenly matched elsewhere, with Everton registering eight shots to the opponent’s 12, with seven of them inside the box, while City managed eight.

However, with the game’s momentum teetering back and forth between the two sides, the Toffees were dealt a big blow in the second period.

Skipper James Tarkowski pulled up with a hamstring injury, and speaking on the early verdict of the injury, Moyes continued: “[We just know] that he's got a hamstring injury.

“It was quite obvious for everybody to see. So, obviously, we'll assess it during the week, and we'll see exactly how we are.”

It was a disappointing end to the action for Moyes’ men, whose defeat is only their second across their past 13 Premier League outings.

Reflecting on a strong run of form since his return to Merseyside, Moyes said: “The positives are that we're in a really strong position, so we mustn't get carried away with one result.

“I think most people would have probably expected a defeat against Man City, but I think the way the team's been playing, the confidence they've got, the results we've had – whether it be on the road or whether it be here at Goodison – it has given everybody the feeling that maybe we turn up and we beat Man City.

“We've drawn here against Liverpool; we've drawn here against Arsenal. So, we rightly felt we had a good chance today and I thought we did for long periods in the game.”