Fellaini faces punishment for headbutt

Everton manager David Moyes said his Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini deserves to be punished for headbutting Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.



Fellaini clashed with Shawcross on the hour mark as the players jostled for position at a corner, but the incident went unnoticed by referee Mark Halsey and his assistants.



"He deserves to get the punishment. I've seen it, it's a terrible thing to do and I expect him to be punished. It's down to the FA. I've told him it's not acceptable and whatever he gets, he and us deserve it," conceded Moyes.



A first-half own-goal from Shawcross had gifted Everton the lead, but Kenwyne Jones struck seven minutes after the break as Stoke stretched their undefeated run to seven matches, while Everton drew for the eighth time in their last 11 outings.



The stalemate left Everton fourth on 27 points, two adrift of third-placed Chelsea, as Stoke remained ninth on 24 points and behind Arsenal on goal difference.



Steven Nzonzi wasted an inviting chance to give Stoke the lead as he headed straight at goalkeeper Tim Howard after Jonathan Walters had steered the ball into his teammate's path, while only a fine goalline clearance from Shawcross prevented Steven Naismith from putting the visitors ahead.



However, Shawcross was the villain soon after as he inadvertently headed Steven Pienaar's teasing delivery from the left beyond a helpless Asmir Begovic to hand Everton a 36th-minute lead.



Leon Osman squandered a chance to double the Toffees' advantage when he failed to hit the target after being picked out by Leighton Baines in the Stoke box, but the hosts emerged from the dressing room after the break looking revitalised.



Howard denied Charlie Adam, but the US international was caught out as Jones equalised on 52 minutes, climbing expertly to meet Shawcross' long diagonal ball and plant a header low into the corner for his first league goal of the season.



The Trinidad and Tobago striker then had an opportunity to give Tony Pulis' men the lead but shot wide from close range under pressure from Phil Jagielka.



Everton should have been reduced to 10-men following Fellaini's senseless act, which could have proved even more controversial as Nikica Jelavic subsequently forced a smart low save from Begovic.



Substitute Cameron Jerome almost made an instant impact for the home side after replacing Adam, drilling just wide of the post after his initial attempt was blocked by Sylvain Distin.



Howard then made a sprawling stop to deny Jerome again before Distin intervened with a vital headed clearance off the line to prevent Peter Crouch from putting Stoke ahead.



Pienaar manufactured a late chance to snatch a winner for Everton, but the South African dragged a tame effort well wide of the mark after running at the hosts' defence as Stoke equalled their longest unbeaten streak in the top flight.

Pulis: Moyes deserves big job

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is at a loss why one of the Premier League's big guns has not poached Everton counterpart David Moyes.

Moyes has pushed Everton into the top four as we reach the halfway stage of the season and they will arrive at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday on a run of just one defeat in 11 games.



Given the Scot's managerial qualities, it remains a surprise to Pulis that he is still at Goodison Park.



"I know David very well. He is a top manager, has done exceptionally well there.



They'll be really pleased they've kept him and that he's still there," said Pulis.



"I'm surprised he is still there, to be honest, because I thought one of the big four might have taken him away after serving a first-class apprenticeship there.



"He's now been there a long time, the players know him, the club know him, he's put his stamp on the place, and they're reaping the rewards from it.



"Traditionally they've been a top, top club over the years, not out of the top flight for many years (since 1954).



"Everton are a benchmark for us in lots of respects. They're a very good club, with the way they've built and put things together.

"As I've mentioned, they've a great manager, but they've top players, and they've a real chance of pushing for the top four. They'll be top six without a question of a doubt this season.



"We haven't had as much time as Everton in the Premier League to lay the foundations, but we're getting there, and that's the main thing. We've had a great year this year. Every year we spend in the Premier League is an achievement. We just want to build the club properly, and over a period of time."

Moyes happy with Pienaar deal

David Moyes has admitted bringing Steven Pienaar back to Everton could have destroyed his reputation as a bargain hunter.



The Toffees boss re-signed the South African from Tottenham for £4.5million following a successful loan spell - just 18 months after selling him to the north London club for £3million.



Moyes has made huge profits in the past by selling some his prized assets such as the sale of defender Joleon Lescott to Manchester City, which earned Goodison Park club a mammoth £17million.



But the Scot has revealed his biggest gamble was bringing 30-year-old playmaker Pienaar back to Merseyside.



He told The Sun: "At Everton we have always tried to do good deals and have always tried to buy at the right age and the right price.



"We had to buy Steven back for more than we sold him for. That didn't sit well with me because I didn't particularly see it as a good business deal.



"But I knew on the football side of things he would make us better. It's been a great deal for us and we're delighted to have him."



Moyes added: "Steven wanted to come back - that was the biggest thing.



"He wanted to come back more than anything and because of that it swayed me to do the deal."

Moyes would welcome Lescott back to club

David Moyes has not ruled out bringing Joleon Lescott back to Everton if Manchester City decide to sell.



The England centre-half has been sidelined at City in recent weeks by the emergence of Serbia youngster Matija Nastasic.



And despite the acrimonious nature of his move from Goodison Park to the Etihad Stadium three years ago, Lescott would be welcomed back by his former manager.



Moyes said: "If Joleon wanted to come back - if I thought we needed him - I'd be delighted to have him back.



"If he was available he'd be someone I'd maybe show an interest in."



The Scot was angered by Lescott's attitude while his £22m transfer was going through, but he said: "I can understand why the player wanted to go.



"When Joleon left, Everton were in a different place to where we are now. Everton look more likely now to be at the top end than they do now."