One of David Moyes’ former Blues has given an insight into what the current Everton squad may have been hit with in the aftermath of their FA Cup exit.

The club were knocked out by Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Saturday, losing 2-0 despite a second-half rally in which they hit the woodwork three times and had an Iliman Ndiaye header cleared off the line.

But while they were unfortunate not to get a foothold in the game during that spell, the damage was done during a poor first half in which both goals came from mistakes. Moyes later described both as “terrible” to have conceded.

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Speaking ahead of the weekend Yakubu, who played just over 100 games during Moyes’ first spell at Everton, reflected on what would happen when the team put in a poor display for the Blues boss.

He said: “I don't know if he's softened at all over the years, but when I played for him, he was all about hard work, running, fighting. We'd go home from training, tired, because he always wanted us to give 120%. He was never scared to tell us when we played really, really bad. I can remember in my first game for the club, at half-time, he went in on everyone in the dressing room; he never took it easy on players. You know, you were scared to play bad for him, because you didn't want him to come after you! You have to give everything for him."

Yakubu described Moyes as one of the best managers he worked with during a career that also took in spells with Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers.

Speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes' "Gaffer of all Accas”, he said: “When you look at Sean [Dyche] and what he did, you know, he kept Everton in the league in a really difficult period for the club, with points deductions and so many problems.

“The situation was really tough, and for the past four seasons they've been struggling in relegation battles, so you've got to give him credit for the job he did. But bringing back Moyes, who already knows the club, was the best decision the owners could have made.

“The way the team are playing now, Iliman is on fire, he's been moving really well, and he actually reminds me of Steven Pienaar, who I played with. The team has got their confidence back. You know, when you work with David Moyes, he always pushes you.”