The young Belgian star has struggled badly to adapt to the pace and competitiveness of the Barclays Premier League since his summer move from Standard Liege.

And at times in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United he was little more than a spectator as Ryan Giggs - in a central midfield role - dominated the game.

But Fellaini popped up to head a deserved equaliser - his second goal since arriving at Goodison Park - to begin to win the hearts of Toffees fans.

Moyes' decision to buy the midfielder had started to be questioned, but the Everton boss said: "Because we paid a big fee for Fellaini, people seemed to think that he would make a big impact, immediately.

"A big difference would have needed three or four players like that. But what we did was spend our money on a young player who everyone will hear a whole lot more about.

"He has come into a struggling team, and we are asking him to make a difference. That is hard. Initially we would have liked to use him occasionally but he has been thrown straight in.

"But he has scored a couple of goals now, he is playing OK, and we are warming to him and the crowd are too.

"He was shattered afterwards, the speed of the game in midfield, box to box, is something he may not have experienced. You will always make mistakes at 20, but I will be interested to see what he will be like at 23, 24.

"Fellaini is just 20. If you ask about him in Belgium, he is a big star and a big player for the national team.

"In the future Fellaini will be a star here. We bought him because we want him here for a few years, that's out strategy."

Everton believe Saturday's point was the turning point for them in a miserable season.

Moyes said: "There was enough shown by the team to suggest this could be a turning point for us.

"We had a lot more commitment, there is something to build on. Let's hope this is the start of things for us.

"Because United are so good, you have to plug so many gaps and we felt at the break that we had to get much closer to them.

"We got after them. I hope this is a launch pad for the rest of our season.

"We did a good job on all the United forwards. Our defenders made it difficult for Rooney and Berbatov, then Ronaldo. They tried all sorts, Tevez as well, but our boys stuck to their task.

"Some things have been lacking this season. But when you work really hard the crowd pick up on it, they were tremendous. Together we started to bring back the atmosphere we have had at Goodison. They could see us and the momentum we managed."

Skipper Phil Neville said: "That was the chance for us to beat United, and you don't get many opportunities like that.

"That is why we are annoyed with ourselves because the win was possible.

"We were full steam ahead and we created chances. We know we could have beaten them.

"They were on the ropes, but they didn't fold, and that is why they are a great team. The crowd responded and we showed great energy and effort.

"They were great in the first half and they could have scored a lot of goals, but we came back and deserved what we got.

"It was like night and day for us, compared to other performances. The energy was back, the confidence was back.

"If we show that energy, commitment and confidence, we are going to be climbing the table soon."

ends