“It wasn’t as good as we wanted”, he told Sky Sports.
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Things have gone smoothly since Ronald Koeman came in to replace Roberto Martinez as manager and Moshiri is delighted with the way his side have started under the Dutchman.
It proved a reversal of the same fixture in May last season, a game Sunderland, with Sam Allardyce at the helm, pulled off a 3-0 victory that clinched their top flight survival, a result proving the catalyst for Roberto Martinez’s sacking.
“It is a good chance for us to improve and to make sure we put on a better performance for the fans”.
I think in my opinion it’s realistic and it’s also part of our ambition what we’d like to fight for. If we play like we did in the first half we will be 13th or 14th.
“The players are not stupid – they know how they can perform”.
I’m glad Moyes wasn’t afraid to place blame on Sunderland’s more experienced players because it’s important that we establish that just coasting through games is not good enough, especially at home.
“I had to work twice as hard and now it’s paying off so I am really happy”.
Helping his cause were the pinpoint crosses from Idrissa Gueye and Yannick Bolasie, a constant threat all night, as Everton exploited the full width of the pitch.
Koeman made one change at the break taking off an under-performing Ross Barkley and sending on Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu.
Overall tonight I’m most disappointed with our defending in the second half.
Sunderland defender Lamine Kone has signed a new five-year contract at the Stadium of Light. It was not the level that we need to show. our ball possession was poor, and then it’s always risky to play against Sunderland and you saw the difference in the second half.
Bolasie drove to the byline down the Everton left and looped a cross towards the far post, where Lukaku arrived unmarked once again to head in from point-blank range.
The outstanding Gueye then went close after Lukaku scuffed his shot before Lukaku saw the crossbar deny him a second in the 63rd minute.
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Sunderland suddenly looked deflated and Lukaku took full advantage to seal his hat-trick, slotting low past Jordan Pickford following Kevin Mirallas’ clever first-time pass to seal a third defeat in four league matches for former Everton boss David Moyes.
