David Moyes accepted the praise and plaudits in his typically unassuming manner.
Privately, the Everton manager would have been punching the air with joy after his hugely impressive team defeated Manchester United 1-0, but as usual he gave credit to his players though he was moved to say: "The last time I can remember that we had a good start, we finished in a Champions League spot [in 2005]."
The Everton team that beat United cost £46 million, roughly what United paid for substitutes Robin van Persie and Anderson.