In a gripping Premier League clash, David Moyes voiced both his frustration and pride following Everton’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against Brentford. This match marked an extension of Everton’s impressive unbeaten streak, now reaching seven league games. However, Moyes felt his team deserved to walk away with more than just a single point, pointing to critical missed opportunities and a poorly conceded goal as pivotal moments of the match that shaped their fate.

In his post-match reflections shared with evertonfc.com, Moyes expressed his feelings candidly about the outcome. “I think we deserved more in the end; I really do. I believe our point was probably the least we deserved,” he remarked. His frustration was particularly focused on Brentford’s equalizing goal, which arrived just before halftime from a long throw—a tactic they had anticipated but ultimately failed to defend against effectively. “We conceded a terrible scrappy goal right on half-time from a long throw, which everyone who comes here is well aware of, and we didn’t manage the situation correctly,” Moyes lamented.

Despite the setback on defense, Moyes was quick to underscore the attacking deficiencies that plagued Everton, especially the missed chances by striker Beto, who failed to convert two prime scoring opportunities. “Beto had been through one-on-one, a situation he’s recently handled very well. Then he had another chance as well,” Moyes observed. “If we hadn’t ended up with a draw, it would have felt like a significant missed opportunity.” While the manager remains confident in his forward’s abilities, he can’t shake the feeling that those crucial moments should have translated into all three points for the team.

Even though Everton finds itself comfortably positioned 15 points clear of the relegation zone, Moyes emphasized the importance of every point in ensuring their place in the Premier League. “When you come in as a manager, your goal is to build momentum, and we needed to ensure we’re securing our position in the Premier League. I believe tonight’s result contributes positively towards that goal.” This draw follows impressive victories away at Brighton and Crystal Palace, and Moyes felt that the team’s performance warranted a more favorable outcome. “In truth, we probably should have won here tonight as well. It reflects positively on what the players are achieving.”

A standout moment for Everton was Jake O’Brien’s first goal for the club, a powerful header that salvaged the draw. Moyes commended the versatile defender, who has been playing as a hybrid right-back due to his remarkable speed and physicality. “Jake’s primarily a centre-back, but we’ve utilized him as a hybrid right-back. His quickness offers us significant advantages against rapid opposition players. His size is always a valuable asset,” Moyes explained. “His contribution was vital tonight when he scored with a well-executed header at the back post.”

Moyes also highlighted midfielder Charlie Alcaraz for his commendable performance, though he noted that the young player “ran out of a bit of juice” as the match progressed. With a squad already missing “probably the best part of eight or nine of our senior players,” Moyes acknowledged that the reduced depth in midfield limited his strategic options. “If we had another midfielder available, we might have adjusted our approach with an additional playmaker,” he stated.

The Everton manager reserved special praise for Brentford’s goalkeeper, acknowledging him as a key figure in the match. “Their goalkeeper was likely the man of the match, given the crucial saves he made tonight.” While he expressed disappointment about the goal conceded, Moyes was largely pleased with his players’ overall performance. “I believed they played exceptionally well, especially in the second half,” he said. “We sent our supporters home happy because they showed tremendous support tonight, and I think the fans are beginning to regain their belief that the team is improving significantly.”

For Moyes, the indicators of progress are unmistakable. Everton’s newfound resilience on the road and their enhanced performances are instilling a sense of optimism among the fanbase. “They are all performing much better, and I sincerely hope that this upward trajectory continues,” he concluded.