WHETHER David Moyes has forgiven Joleon Lescott for leaving Everton high and dry last summer isn’t clear.

He certainly hasn’t forgotten.

In the lead up to Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City, the Everton manager laid bare his feelings about one of the summer’s most drawn out, if not messy, transfer sagas.

In a nutshell, Moyes fingered Lescott’s defection to the other end of the M62 for its impact on Everton’s poor start to the season.

To lay sole blame at the wantaway defender’s door for a run that yielded just 14 points from 15 league games seems a little bit harsh.

Of course, that wasn’t Moyes’ intention but rather how his comments were reported in certain quarters. The Everton manager went on to state how Lescott had been ‘a good fit’ at Goodison and was disappointed to see him leave.

A Premier League double over Lescott’s new club will have gone some way to easing the pain, not that the former Everton player had any say in the matter.

Injuries forced him out of this week’s encounter, as was the case in December when, again, Everton prospered 2-0.

But to prove their are no hard feelings on Lescott’s part he has spoken highly of Moyes and his former club.

As Everton prepare to face another of Lescott’s previous club’s, Wolverhampton Wanderers tomorrow, the England defender has tipped his old club for a strong finish to the season.

“David Moyes has done a great job for them,” said Lescott.

“He’s been the most consistent manager outside the top four. But people tend to underestimate what the players have done as well.

“The players have played a massive part in what’s been achieved. They’re a great bunch to work with, and I know Moyes enjoys working with them every day.”

Moyes concluded his thoughts by announcing the chapter is now closed.

Just as we’ve seen with Wayne Rooney this season, time is a great healer.

Although it ended on a sour note, Lecsott reflects on three seasons at Goodison that witnessed his transformation from Championship prospect to England international.

He has a lot to thank Moyes for.

“I’ve followed what’s been happening at Everton since I left,” says the 27-year-old.

“ I had three good years there. I’ve got a lot of good friends there, not just football friends but friends in life.

“They’re in good form but that’s not surprising. They’ve got great players. I didn’t think it would be too long before they started to do well.

“The way they started the season, they were without Jags, Mikel Arteta, the Yak, and I’d joined City.

“All four of us had played a big part in the previous year, so it was going to be a big loss.

“But the players that came in hav done exceptionally well, and the injured players are back fit now.”

It is no coincidence that Everton’s rise up the table has corresponded with the return of key players such as Arteta, who has been in tremendous form in recent weeks. His goal against City to double the visitors’ advantage was his fourth in as many games.

The Spaniard will be looking to extend his tally at Molineux tomorrow where Everton face Wolves who will have their tails up from a comprehensive 3-1 win at Upton Park on Tuesday night.