David Moyes has admitted a "lack of quality" cost his side as they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Goodison Park.
The Blues wasted good possession and gilt-edged chances as the Premier League new boys took the points thanks to a Tommy Smith strike just past the half hour.
Moyes said he didn't think that his said had played badly enough to lose, but that poor defending and a lack of composure in front of goal had ultimately cost his side the points.
He said: "I don't think we gave QPR too many opportunities but the shot for the goal was poor defending from us.
"We just lacked the quality at the top end of the pitch to make a difference."
Moyes also spoke about his team selection, confirming a lack of match fitness was what forced him to start the game with three star player warming the bench.
He said: "Marouane was close, but Mikel wasn't ready and neither was Louis.
"When they came on you could probably see that. Louis had only trained on Thursday and I wasn't even going to put him on the bench.
"Marouane was closer than Mikel but they've not pre season and they weren't ready to start."
Moyes saved praise for Ross Barkely who he said was a terrific player and the best on the pitch for Everton today.
He said: "I've said to the players in the dressing room that I was disappointed with most of them, but not Ross he played well.
"He needs a big pat on the back, because he's not long 17.
"And the other thing is, he's central midfield player, because we've got no wide players at the minute he's had to play there.
"He's a terrific player. I hope he's going to follow in the footsteps of one or two other that we've had come through here."
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