Moyes rues Pienaar error

Moyes: Won't be too harsh on Pienaar

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David Moyes admits a 'poor decision' from Steven Pienaar cost Everton a point at Manchester United.

Everton appeared to be heading for a deserved draw at Old Trafford until Pienaar dangled out a leg in the 88th minute to bring down Ryan Giggs.

Cristiano Ronaldo converted the penalty to give United a 2-1 win, although Moyes was reluctant to be too critical of Pienaar.

"The fact it was a penalty and it was late on means it hurts more, but that happens and I don't think I left the field feeling like a loser," Moyes told the club's official website

Mistake

"I can't hide the fact it was a poor decision by Steven Pienaar in the box that led to the penalty.

"We have told him that, but in the same breath I had to tell him how well he has played for us today and also how well in the last few months.

"That mistake cost us, otherwise we would be walking away with a hard-earned point."

The defeat ended Everton's 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions, but Moyes was pleased with his team's performance against the champions.

He added: "Obviously we have taken no points, but I think the players should come off feeling like winners. They have performed really well.

Tremendous

"I don't think you are going to come to Old Trafford and dominate possession. They are the champions and one of the top teams in Europe, but we are showing how far we have come because we are beginning to get moments in games where we are doing much better.

"We have come here with maybe not the strongest side we would have had and we have to find different ways of playing. The players did a great job, they really did - tremendous.

"I thought that the team that has been doing so well could come here and do well and we did, even without Mikel (Arteta). Our standards are rising and because of that we feel more confident in places like this.

"This is the benchmark if we want to achieve things and we came close today. We were never out of the game, we were always in it and but for a poor decision from a player we could have had a point."