The Toffees were missing a string of players as they were beaten 3-2 at Hull City in the Barclays Premier League on Wednesday night.

To make matters worse, emerging midfielder Jack Rodwell limped off during the second half at the KC Stadium to join an injury list that includes Mikel Arteta, Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka and Victor Anichebe.

Although concerned by the mounting sick list, Moyes said that cannot be used as an excuse for the poor first-half performance which saw the Merseysiders go 3-0 down before the break.

"It is partly to do with it, partly to do with individual performances," said Moyes.

"Obviously they have been a factor but it wasn't the reason we lost three goals in the first half.

"It was nothing to do with the boys who weren't playing, it was to do with the boys who were playing."

Everton have now won just one of their last seven league matches - one in 10 in all competitions - and lie four points above the bottom three.

On Sunday they have a home Merseyside derby against neighbours Liverpool who are also strugggling for form.

The Reds have won just two of their last 11 matches, a run which has seen their title hopes all but ended. And this week they went out of the Champions League.

Sunday could be the perfect fixture for either side to pick themselves up but Moyes played down the significance of the occasion.

He said: "I only look at Everton's form. I'm not really concentrating on how other teams do. I just know we need to play better."