Strachan, Moyes admit concern

Everton 0 Southampton 0

Everton and Southampton shared the points in a desperate game which was clearly lacking the inspiration of the suspended Wayne Rooney.

And Everton boss Moyes admitted he is becoming concerned with his side’s league position after almost qualifying for Europe last term.

Everton, still in the bottom half of the table in 13th spot, have had a scrappy, inconsistent start to the campaign and produced a poor display on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Spurs.

Moyes said: “If I knew what was going wrong I would change it. We are not happy with where we are, but I feel that the points we have got do reflect our season.

“Because of last season we have created our own level of expectation. We are all guilty of that, myself and the coaches are expecting more from the players.”

As for Saints boss Strachan, it was a case of more frustration after his club’s UEFA Cup exit at the hands of Steaua Bucharest in midweek.

“We have had two performances now in a week that encapsulate our season,” he said. “They have both been frustrating. We are fine for most of the pitch, but we lack that final pass and final shot which can turn a good performance into a great one.

“Yes, it is frustrating, but I am consoled by the fact that the lads are trying their level best to put it right.”

Everton look to have lost Lee Carsley for a lengthy period again with his second-half injury confirmed as another medial ligament problem.

EVERTON: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Weir, Naysmith, Watson, Carsley (Linderoth 63), Gravesen, McFadden (Kilbane 65), Campbell, Jeffers.

SOUTHAMPTON: Niemi, Dodd, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Higginbotham, Fernandes (Prutton 54), Delap, Anders Svensson, Telfer, Beattie, Ormerod.

Referee: M Messias (N Yorkshire).