David Moyes has insisted that a poor start was the main reason for Everton's Capital One Cup defeat to Leeds United on Tuesday evening.

Goals from Aidy White and Rodolph Austin sent Everton crashing out of the competition but Moyes refused to accept that a team filled with fringe players was a factor in the result.

"We were not very good in the first half, but we got better in the second, but not as good as we've been playing," he said. "We started terribly, gave them the initiative and lost the game in the opening 20 minutes due to the way we started. We gave away a really poor first goal and left ourselves trying to get back into the game.

"These boys are in the squad and have to be able to show they can come in and play. If you don't use them, what's the point in having them? The players want to play and be involved."

Neil Warnock has claimed that Leeds could have beat the Premier League side by more goals at Elland Road.