Moyes dives in to back Johnson

Everton manager David Moyes has hailed striker Andrew Johnson as the "catalyst" behind his side's 2-0 win at Reading.

The England international scored the opener, made the second and was a constant threat to the home side, who lost their second straight home game.

Johnson had not scored since September and had been labelled a diver by Jose Mourinho the previous week - an accusation the Chelsea boss later retracted after the Toffees threatened legal action.

Moyes said: "His mood was great and he has been a terrific centre-forward for Everton. He had gone a few games without goals, could have taken penalty kicks - and got penalty kicks - but it wasn't a case of would he score but when.

"I thought he was terrific today, a threat all game. He was the catalyst, in the first half especially, in getting us a result."

Moyes recalled James McFadden to the starting line-up after teenager Victor Anchibe fell sick at lunchtime and the Scot converted the second early in the second half.

Everton had also been forced to reshuffle when centre-back Alan Stubbs hurt a knee in the pre-match warm-up, with Gary Naysmith his late replacement.

Moyes said: "I thought we were worth a win because of our first-half performance. In the second Reading made it difficult for us but it was a good three points for us. We needed a result today."

Reading manager Steve Coppell admitted his side had been second best, with his normally-reliable defence unable to cope with Johnson in particular.

He said: "They deserved to win and the second goal destroyed us. Johnson was the difference as far as I'm concerned. Between the teams there wasn't too much daylight but every time he got on the ball he looked to penetrate."

Reading failed to create much but might have had a penalty in first-half stoppage time when Naysmith appeared to foul Seol Ki-Hyeon.

Coppell believed referee Steve Tanner had been too timid on his Premiership debut. He said: "I thought it was a foul but he didn't even give a foul. I thought the only problem was whether it was in or outside the box.

"Maybe he was looking to the linesman for confirmation."