Moyes pleased that Everton expectations have risen
Everton manager David Moyes is pleased with how his players have shifted expectations since his return to the club in January.
The Toffees travel to Chelsea this weekend on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last time out, which was only their third league loss since Moyes's reappointment.
In comparison, Everton had lost eight league games prior to Moyes's arrival, while it has earned 21 of its 33 points in the 14 league games under him.
"We've done an awful lot of good things and we're getting better. It says a lot that we're disappointed to lose 2-0 against Manchester City," Moyes said after the City defeat.
"I'm sort of smiling that people think we should be disappointed. I am, but we've got to remember how good a side they are.
"It is always going to be difficult against Manchester City. We did a lot of good things. We're just lacking that little bit to be really competitive. We just couldn't find a way.
"It is probably quality. Their subs came on and helped them. I'm not sure we had the same.
"We needed to find a way to get a goal but I genuinely think the injury to James Tarkowski was a big blow to us. It looks like a hamstring injury but what it is we don't know at the moment."
Chelsea, meanwhile, comes into the game after scoring twice in the past seven minutes to win 2-1 away to Fulham and keep ist UEFA Champions League dream alive.
Manager Enzo Maresca refuted any suggestions of rifts with the players after he went straight down the tunnel after the final whistle rather than celebrate with the squad and fans.
The Italian had been booked on the sideline after Pedro Neto's stoppage-time winner, while Maresca pressed the need for a united bond between the players and fans.
"I was happy because it is a nice feeling to win the game at the end, but I think it was a moment for the players because they deserve to celebrate with the fans," Maresca said.
"That's the reason I left the pitch immediately. And then when we scored the second one, I celebrated and this was the reason they give me the yellow card, but it was a nice moment between the players and the fans to share that moment.
"I said many times, the players need to feel that support."
