Next up is a third-round home clash with Middlesbrough and Moyes wants more of the same fight and spirit.

He said: “The draw with Chelsea has given everyone a big lift, it was only a point but against a team such as Chelsea who are the best in Europe at the moment, it was something that has given us the feeling of ’that was more like it,’ and the way we would want to play.

“We can’t say after one result that everything is hunky-dory, but we needed a start, something to build on, and hopefully that is what we can now do.

“The atmosphere around the players in training this week has been much better because of the way they played against Chelsea, probably a better feeling than in a long time.

“They were also confronted with a manager who wanted to praise them when they got back into the dressing room rather than a manager who is unhappy with them.”

He added: “If they keep playing as well as they did against Chelsea, we will pick up more victories in cup and league.

“We need to build on the result against Chelsea, and I am sure that is what is in the minds of the players as they approach this cup tie.

“But Boro are a good side and they’ve had a few good seasons. So this is a difficult game for us when you would really admit to wanting to play someone a bit lower down the divisions at this stage.”

Moyes will be forced to make changes for the Boro’ tie due to injuries. Everton will be without Portuguese defender Nuno Valente because of a hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday.

Tim Cahill (ankle) and Duncan Ferguson (back) are both doubts, also with injuries picked up against the champions.

But Moyes could give winger Andy Van der Meyde his first run-out in an Everton shirt following groin problems since his transfer window move from Inter Milan. Danish defender Per Kroldrup, who has recovered from a hernia operation, is also in the squad.