David Moyes bemoans Everton's lack of cutting edge after defeat to Tottenham

The Scot's side sit 11th in the table after an injury-plagued start to season and he was pleased with team's overall performance at White Hart Lane but outlined need to be clinical

12 Jan 2012 09:05:00

By James McManus

More On :  Everton, Tottenham, David Moyes, Tottenham vs Everton

Everton manager David Moyes hailed another hard-working performance from his players, but has called on his side to add a more clinical edge in front of goal after their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

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Moyes' side, however, do still sit relatively comfortably in 11th position in the league after Wednesday night’s defeat, where they fell behind to a well taken goal from Aaron Lennon before Benoit Assou-Ekotto doubled Spurs' lead.

“We did okay, but I'm disappointed - we had one or two good opportunities that we didn't take," Moyes told reporters.

"But we played quite well and there were a lot of good signs.”

Spurs secured their win in the second half courtesy of a spectacular effort from Cameroonian full-back Assou-Ekotto which flew into the net via a slight deflection from Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, and Moyes was left to rue once again his side's profligacy in front of goal.

"We needed someone to catch the ball sweetly on their boot and for it to fly into the net," he said. "That's what we need at the moment and it's nothing less than we would have deserved.

"We needed to hit one just like Assou-Ekotto hit his. If we'd got one of those it wouldn't have been out the ordinary, because we deserved to be in the game."

Leighton Baines was at fault for Lennon’s first goal and Moyes has moved to reassure fans he will not be deterred from giving the player an ear-bashing despite the full-back being one of the club’s top players.

“We made a mistake for the first goal. He's been fantastic for us and he doesn't make many mistakes, but he gets treated the same as everyone else," Moyes continued.

"We'll let him know he has to better, but we understand he doesn't make many.”

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