DAVID MOYES wasn’t in the mood for talking on Saturday.
As the Everton manager marched towards the tunnel at the Britannia Stadium there was frustration etched across his face.
Try telling the Scotsman he can be proud of his side’s efforts in the face of adversity this season.
Everton’s European dream died in Stoke and there was no consoling their fiercely ambitious manager.
Moyes kept his thoughts to himself as he sent assistant Steve Round to face the media but it’s fair to assume he was fuming at Howard Webb’s decision to rule out Phil Jagielka’s 74th minute header.
Victor Anichebe was undoubtedly standing in an offside position but with the Nigerian not touching the ball there’s no doubt many officials would have given the goal.
In truth victory would have flattered Everton who only really came to life in the second half.
On a day when only three points would do too many players failed to impose themselves on proceedings and they were fortunate not to fall behind when Rory Delap somehow conspired to miss a glorious chance just after the break.
But Moyes’ frustrations run deeper than what was played out along Stanley Matthews Way on Saturday.
The reality is there will be no European football on offer at Goodison next season and that will make life tough when it comes to attracting players this summer.
Forget the Europa League, Moyes wants to be leading Everton out in the Champions League but with the financial might of Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa the battle for a top-four spot has never been tougher.
Moyes has transformed the club’s fortunes over the past eight years and built a squad of genuine quality but the next step will be the hardest.
“Qualifying for Europe was the goal of the manager and the players and they were very down afterwards,” admitted Round.
“Europe is always a must. That’s the pressure we put on ourselves.
“The manager’s big goal every year is to qualify for the Champions League. That’s the first target and if not then it’s the Europa League.
“We want to win trophies. That’s the ambition of the manager and he drives it throughout the whole club.”
Moyes likes to look forward, not back, but when he’s on the sun lounger this summer he will surely reflect on another year of progress.
