Moyes praises Dutch 'technician'

Everton boss David Moyes insists he was not surprised by John Heitinga’s delightful equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Birmingham last night – even though the Holland international had never scored for the Toffees before.

Heitinga opened his account in spectacular fashion, firing an effort from the edge of the box into the roof of the net 10 minutes before the interval at Goodison Park to cancel out Jean Beausejour’s 17th-minute header for the visitors.

The sight of the 27-year-old, who joined Everton from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2009, demonstrating such striking prowess was somewhat unexpected, although Moyes said it was something he knew Heitinga was capable of.

“He has got great technique,” Moyes said.

“It doesn’t take me by surprise because he is a really good striker of the ball.

“He is very good with both feet. He plays centre-half most of the time, but he is a really good technician and he showed that with his finish.”

Everton suffered an early setback when Mikel Arteta had to be substituted within the first 10 minutes nursing an apparent hamstring injury, robbing Moyes’ side of a key playmaker.

Although they dominated possession for most of the contest thereafter, they were generally unable to make the most of it and in the end Heitinga’s leveller was the only time they showed a clinical touch in front of goal.

“It was a really good goal, a side-foot into the top corner, and it looked as if we were going to need to score a goal like that,” Moyes said.

“I think we had quite a few opportunities but we weren’t pulling the trigger. I thought (Birmingham goalkeeper) Ben Foster made some good saves as well.”

Ahead of the Birmingham clash Moyes had called for greater consistency from his team, who had been knocked out of the FA Cup by npower Championship outfit Reading in their previous home game.

After the final whistle last night the manager described the outcome as “a bit frustrating”, but it extended Everton’s unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League to three games following victories over Sunderland and Newcastle.

The Toffees are up to ninth in the table and Moyes said: “That is seven points out of nine, so you wouldn’t say that was inconsistent – it’s actually quite consistent.”

The draw also improved Birmingham’s position as they moved out of the relegation zone by leapfrogging West Ham into 17th.

They are separated from the drop zone on goal difference alone with 10 games to play and manager Alex McLeish knows the Carling Cup winners must keep focused.

“I would like to move a lot further away from the bottom three because it is a battle,” McLeish said.

“It will be about who keeps their composure over the next few weeks, but we asked the boys to concentrate on this game and this game only, and they gave a very solid rearguard performance.”

The Blues were forced to withdraw David Bentley due to a groin problem around the same time as Arteta came off, adding to their already extensive list of injuries.

With several players unavailable, teenager Jordon Mutch was handed a start against Everton in what was only his second league appearance for Birmingham.

Mutch was involved in a comical incident in the first half when he was booked by referee Peter Walton, who seemed to have forgotten to take his cards onto the field with him and could only wave an imaginary yellow.

By that stage, though, the 19-year-old midfielder had already provided the assist for Beausejour’s opener and McLeish was delighted with Mutch’s overall contribution.

“Young Jordon did well,” McLeish said.

“He came in at the 11th hour after Keith Fahey pulled out with a tight hamstring. We don’t think it’s too serious but it is enough for us to be concerned about him doing more damage, and having him out for longer.

“Jordon is confident about his ability and said to me on Tuesday that he was ready for me at any time I need him – he was doing extra training, and I told him he would get the call if people didn’t make it.

“He came in and had a really good game.

“He was intelligent – we asked him to perform a role in the midfield and to get back into the box and be an extra body in front of the back four.”