David Moyes leaps to defence of Joleon Lescott
DAVID MOYES leapt to the defence of Joleon Lescott after the centre back came under fire following Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Portsmouth.
The well-publicised shortcomings in Everton's squad have forced the manager to field Phil Jagielka as a makeshift holding midfielder this campaign, breaking up the former Sheffield United man's successful partnership with Joseph Yobo.
Worryingly, Lescott has yet to replicate the form which saw him pick up successive club Player of the Year awards since his switch back into the centre from the left-back slot and the England international was again out of sorts on Saturday.
Many pointed the finger at the ã6m signing for Jermain Defoe's opening goal, when the striker weaved his way unchallenged through Everton's box with Lescott in close attendance.
But Moyes said: "I think there were lots that Lescott did that was very good. He handled Crouch and Defoe for a lot of the game very well but it is decisive moments in games and you have got to concentrate throughout.
"He played really well last week at West Brom. It's a big season for Joleon. But he is a really good player. Maybe both the centre-backs lost a bit of concentration for the first and second goals.
"When that happens, it makes it a mountain for you to climb. Those boys played together most of last season. Joe (Yobo) and Joleon were the centre-backs and it was only from Christmas time that Jagielka played there after Joe went to the African Nations. They are more than capable players. It's nothing to do with the plaudits he got last season.
"He needs to stand up. But the one thing we know about his is that he is an excellent player."
Poor defending was also to blame for Pompey's second shortly before the break, with Glen Johnson allowed to scamper infield and exchange passes with Defoe before beating Tim Howard with an excellent left-footed finish. Even at 2-0, though, Everton had the opportunity to gain a foothold in the game, Yakubu making a hash of a 46th-minute penalty.
Moyes felt the 3-0 scoreline did not tell the whole story.
He added: "The message was that I didn't feel the players deserved what they got. I thought they never gave in. They kept trying to score a goal. In the second half, I think Portsmouth had one shot on target. Defining moments went against us. The penalty kick was saved, which could have made it 2-1. The save David James made from Arteta in the first half (at 1-0). Big moments that didn't go for us but it doesn't take away the fact we conceded three poor goals. We gave ourselves a chance and kept fighting to score."
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