**David Moyes covered plenty of ground after Everton’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson, including Jack Grealish’s return, two stunning goals and the rather unavoidable subject of his small squad.**
[Everton](https://readeverton.com/) twice came from behind on Sunday, Tyrique George scoring his first goal for the club before debutant Ainsley Maitland-Niles rescued a point with a brilliant 96th-minute equaliser.
Moyes enjoyed both goals. He wasn’t quite so thrilled with only taking a point.
“For periods we played well. I thought Man Utd played better than they have done in their other games,” said Moyes.
“The first goal we concede is shabby. But I thought if anyone was going to go on and win the game after we equalise it would be us. I set out to win.
“For us, to give the crowd moments, it was a big moment. But I wanted to win, and I thought we were capable of winning. I need to win my home games.”
A 96th-minute equaliser tends to feel like a winner in the moment, but Moyes clearly wasn’t interested in treating it as one.
Quite an introduction.
Maitland-Niles came off the bench for his Everton debut and then, deep into stoppage time, stuck one into the top corner from distance.
“If nobody knew you, then that goal would get you plenty of headlines,” said Moyes.
“It was a brilliant goal, technique, everyone will look at the way he finished it and the goalkeeper not being able to move for it.”
Moyes admitted he is still getting to know exactly what his deadline-day signing can offer.
“We haven’t had much of a chance to get to know Ainsley yet, and his role. It’ll take a bit of time.”
Not a bad way to introduce yourself, though.
George’s first Everton goal wasn’t bad either.
The 20-year-old caused United problems before producing a cracking finish to drag Everton level for the first time.
“I don’t know who you made man of the match, but he was close; he caused them a problem early on. He is a young winger, and he will need time to develop. He is a boy who wants to learn, and we like him.”
George has had to be patient since arriving, but this was comfortably his biggest contribution yet.
Grealish was back in Everton colours after 66 minutes, making his first appearance since returning on loan from City.
Moyes liked what he saw, while making it clear the 30-year-old isn’t yet fully up to speed after his injury lay-off.
“He kept the ball very well and made some very good passes through,” said Moyes.
“He is someone who the crowd here love, and he has not played for six months after a foot injury, so we have to find a way to get him fit.
“Jack just wants to be involved in football all the time, and he gives us something else in that he can ball carry and retain the ball, so hopefully we can get him into top form.”
There will clearly be a bit of patience required with Grealish. Given how quickly he got the crowd going again, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
And then to the subject Moyes probably won’t be escaping any time soon.
Everton came out of the transfer window short of the numbers their manager wanted, but Moyes says there will be no moping about it inside the dressing room.
“Sometimes when you’ve got fewer players, it means everyone has to be ready. Players on the fringes are going to have to show why they deserve to be involved.
“When you’ve got a small squad you have to find a way to make it work.”
That message has already been discussed with the players.
“We said there would be no excuses from any players and none of us from what has gone on. The players all agreed. They said we won’t be walking off shaking our heads if we are a player short or down.”
The concerns over squad depth haven’t gone away. Nor should they after one result. Moyes, though, clearly doesn’t want them becoming an excuse.
The final message from Moyes was about where he wants all of this to lead.
“I want us to be a club that is building, ambitious, and can aim to challenge the top teams, so Everton supporters are thinking that we are going into these games with a chance.
“We lost unluckily to Manchester United here last season and beat them at Old Trafford, and I want us to show all of the big teams that we are competitive.”
After the way the transfer window ended, there was a danger of a bit of a hangover around the place.
Instead, Everton have five points from their opening three league games and showed on Sunday that there is plenty of fight in this group.
Moyes would just quite like a few more of them.
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