David Moyes was asked about Jack Grealish's absence from his squad as Everton beat Newcastle United to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals
David Moyes (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
David Moyes (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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David Moyes remained tight-lipped about Jack Grealish’s absence from Everton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup but praised the efforts of the rest of his team.
The club confirmed before kick-off that Grealish had been omitted from the squad due to a disciplinary breach and the ECHO understands this was due to him not turning up for a scheduled training session.
Moyes said: “You probably know I am not going to give any details. It is a club decision and I support it.”
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Asked if he felt let down by the actions of the first £100million English footballer, the 63-year-old added: “It is something I don’t want to speak too much about.”
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The incident could have proven a distraction for the Blues, but Moyes was pleased with how remainder of his squad coped. He said: “The one thing about Everton is that they have got real good values, all the players stand behind it and accept the values, on the pitch and off the pitch. I think the players did a good job tonight, it is a small squad but we are doing our best to keep challenging.
“It was a tough game but I think the Premier League is like this, games are quite close, you can be defending for 20 minutes and then attacking. We got the goals at good times, the third goal killed the game off but really pleased to get through, you can talk about cup games, the only thing that really matters is you want to get through.”
In terms of whether it had been an incentive for his players to know that a trip to League Two Fleetwood Town in the quarter-finals would be reward for a victory, Moyes said: “I didn’t phrase it that way and say anything to the players at all. This was a big Premier League game really and trying to win any isn’t easy.
“What we have next you have to take in your stride. Anyone who beats Arsenal is doing a good job.”