Late goals from Apostolos Vellios and Royston Drenthe helped the Toffees to a 3-1 win over Wigan at the weekend in a match where they laboured to find the decisive final touch. But having lost creative midfielder Mikel Arteta to Arsenal at the end of the transfer window and sold striker Jermaine Beckford to Leicester and Ayegbeni Yakubu to Blackburn, Moyes is still trying to find the right formula. Drenthe and fellow loan signing Denis Stracqualursi are still well short of their top form but the introduction of youngsters like Vellios, 19, and Ross Barkley, 17, have provided a glimpse of the future. Seven points from their opening four matches - good enough for sixth place in the Premier League table - represents Everton's best start to a season since 2006-07 when they picked up 10 points from a similar number of matches. "People are always talking about our start," said the Scot. "We have a couple of wins but we can play better - but it was an important game for us to win against Wigan. "This time last year you (the media) were saying Manchester United weren't playing that well and they went on to be champions. "I'm not saying for a minute that is going to be us but the point I'm making is we have started the season well and got some wins. "Normally we are talking about a bad start for us. We have picked up the points and we are trying to improve. "But people should realise we have lost a lot of really good players and we are trying to find a new team and introduce new players. "It might not always be that flowing or attractive at the moment but my job is to try to win the games. "It is a lot for us to expect those boys to be Premier League players. "Thankfully the one or two we have got are at least giving us competition." Everton face Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United in their next five fixtures and will need to draw on all their resources within a small squad for such a run of games. Defender Phil Jagielka, who scored the Toffees' other goal on Saturday, believes the increased competition has helped get the season off to a decent start. "It was nice to look across to the bench (on Saturday) and see how healthy it was," he said. "Denis has not been here for long but we know what he gives us, he is a good honest lad and a bit of a handful and showed that with (the assist for) the third goal. "Tolos (Vellios) can also nick a goal. It is a long season and we haven't got a big squad so because of the attacking options they offer they are sure to play a big part. "I'd say our start is above average when it is usually below average. "It is definitely a better start than what we have had but if you look at the fixture list, on paper, it has not been the hardest start in the world."
