Beating Liverpool feels like winning the FA Cup - Everton boss David Moyes

The substitute, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Monday, was sent on as a replacement for Marouane Fellaini, who had earlier needed an injection to be able to play in the game.

And although resources were stretched even further by Victor Anichebe's withdrawal from the squad in the midst of a fall-out with Moyes in the build-up to the game, Everton pulled together to take the honours in the replay.

"We don't win the Cup tonight but there's a lot out there who will feel it's like that," said Moyes.

"We have got a long way to go to do that but it was a great night and a great performance and show of character from the players to get a result.

"But there's more to come. The result ranks very highly and we have done very well because they are a good team and it just shows where Everton are.

"We're getting better (against the big four). I don't think either team played awfully well but we deserved our victory."

Villa sealed their place in the fifth round with a 3-1 win over Doncaster Rovers in their replay and Moyes added: "The draws haven't been kind to us. To draw Liverpool and then Aston Villa is really tough."

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Liverpool were disrupted by the early exit through injury of Steven Gerrard, then were reduced to 10 men 14 minutes from the end of normal time when Lucas picked up his second yellow card.

But with Moyes relying on substitutes Gosling, 17-year-old Jack Rodwell and wayward winger Andy van der Meyde, he was full of praise for the application his players showed on the big occasion.

And he was again quick to acknowledge the part his defence played in keeping their seventh clean sheet in 11 games.

"For two young boys to go on in an FA Cup replay like they did was great, but it said a lot about the other players too," said Moyes.

"The two boys at the back at the moment you could trust with your life they're playing so well.

"I don't think either team played awfully well but we deserved out victory.

"I thought once they were down to 10 men we dominated the game, a little bit like they did at Anfield.

"I thought we had a lot of the ball and found it difficult to get through. But we got the goal that mattered.

"I just thought the young players were the right ones for the job. I didn't think they were massive decisions to make at the time."

Gosling, meanwhile, was delighted with his match-winning strike.

The teenager, who turned 19 on Monday, said: "It's a great day for the club and all the fans.

"I was thinking 'just shoot and get it on target'."

His team-mate, England defender Joleon Lescott, praised the youngster's composure.

And Lescott pointed out he is a calm finisher in training.

Lescott added: "In training he does it regularly.

"We deserved to win, pressured them and played a lot of good football, and got the goal we deserved."