Everton manager David Moyes has praised his side's resilience and insisted that they deserved to beat Newcastle United following their 2-1 win at St James' Park.

The Scot admitted that his team defended poorly when Papiss Cisse put the Magpies in front, but was delighted with how his players responded.

"We had to do it the hard way again, unfortunately, but that has been the way it is. The result was right in the end," he told the club's official website.

"It was really poor defending [for Cisse's goal] and we should have dealt with it better. We expected them to come out strong and they did.

"But I have got to say, apart from that we were fantastic with our football. How we didn't go in at half time a couple of goals up I don't know. Fellaini, Naismith and Pienaar had great chances."

Moyes was also quick to praise Everton's goalscorers Leighton Baines and Victor Anichebe, the former of whom smashed home a 30-yard free kick.

"I keep saying it was about time," he said of Baines's equaliser. "He takes plenty and you have to come up with your share. He was a bit disappointed he didn't score three; there was another free kick and he wriggled into the box for a chance as well.

"When we needed to take the ball for a run in the last few minutes Victor did a really good job. He got his goal and was a little bit unfortunate not to start tonight."

"I can only praise the players, we could have easily come out with four victories. It was a great effort, a big effort."

The result moves Everton up to fifth place in the Premier League while Newcastle remain in 15th, two points above the drop zone.