Despite what was a frustrating afternoon at Goodison Park, Everton manager David Moyes struck a positive note after his teams disappointing 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

Having fallen behind to a Robert Huth goal, Everton captain Leon Osman produced a stunning equaliser which secured a point. The home side were unable to claim all three but Osman’s overall contribution did not go unnoticed by the Scot. “Leon was terrific as captain, it’s a role he has had a few times when people have been injured“ said Moyes.

“He has been at this club since he was a boy, he has worked very hard to get where he is and he will have to continue to work hard to stay there.”

Overall, the failure to win at home is not disastrous at such an early point of the season and Moyes was pleased with his sides performance. Decisions made on and off the field probably cost his side the chance to win the match but he was pragmatic in his summary of the game. "I thought we played quite well in the first half without scoring any goals…we got into good areas and made the wrong decisions”. He also admitted that his substitutions did not help the shape of the team although the squad available to him was not of the strength he would have liked.