The Goodison Park chief unashamedly lauded his side's tremendous defensive display in the Merseyside FA Cup derby, which was heavily criticised by Liverpool boss Benitez.

And the Goodison Park chief is now relishing a fourth-round home replay on February 4 after yesterday's 1-1 draw.

Moyes refuses to be bowed by Benitez's attack, having also claimed a 1-1 league draw at Anfield last Monday with a similar defiant display.

And he goaded Liverpool, saying: "They have spent big to win trophies, so let's look at the difference in the values of the squads.

"People would say Liverpool should have won both these two derbies, but they haven't done it.

"We defended stoutly, we used lots of bodies and we made it hard for them to score.

"You are allowed to defend, there is nobody who says you are not allowed to do that. We were just determined to make it very hard for them.

"Just like we did last Monday. But to get two creditable draws at Anfield isn't bad."

Everton, who led at the break through Joleon Lescott's header, were crippled by injuries and Marouane Fellaini's two-match suspension.

Now Moyes believes he will have more top quality at his disposal for what could be an explosive replay.

He said: "It doesn't matter how you get through, you do it. But we have been hard to beat recently, and I was disappointed that we conceded the equaliser to Steven Gerrard like that.

"There was always a concern when Liverpool equalised so early in the second half that they would go on and get another with all that pressure.

"But we hung in there after the break. We were very resilient and getting a draw was fine.

"If you had told me I could have a draw before the game and get them back to Goodison, I would have said that was a good result.

"We didn't find it too hard in the midweek league game against their possession and football.

"And in the cup tie their possession didn't produce too many goal (chances) and we were relatively comfortable.

"The one thing you will not fault Everton players for is their effort and commitment they give.

"As far as I'm concerned, what we might lack in some things we make up for in others. We were terrific."

He added: "We did miss Mikel Arteta, who was out with a rib injury. He makes us play better, he makes us pass the ball better.

"But you must not forget that we were without Mikel, without (Marouane) Fellaini, without (Ayegbeni) Yakubu, without Louis Saha. They are top players who could have made a difference.

"We ended up having to bring on two teenagers, Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell, in the end to run around and make it difficult for them.

"I'm not sure who is favourite now. Liverpool will say they have done pretty well at Goodison in recent years, but now we can say we have managed a couple of half-decent performances at Anfield.

"Frankly, in these derbies there is not much advantage wherever you play. But we have been to Anfield twice now and done well.

"There's a chance Mikel will be back to face Arsenal on Wednesday. But we have got through two games now without top players, with Fellaini suspended from both.

"We may not have won them. But we have not lost. And next time around Arteta and Fellaini will both be back. Saha maybe too."

Everton were also left gloating over another set-piece goal against the Reds, with Tim Cahill - who scored the equaliser in the league match from a free-kick - setting up Lescott to head home from a corner.

Everton must play Arsenal and Manchester United before next week's replay, and Lescott said: "We have never doubted ourselves in the big games and we have proven twice in a few days that we can cope.

"We have obviously got some massive games coming up but again we are confident we can hold out at the back."

Of the set-play goal, Lescott said: "Tim is vital in the air for us at set-plays. It was great for him to win it and I'm just pleased I got the final touch."

He added: "We were confident coming in with a half-time lead. Our defensive record has been good of late so we thought we could hold out.

"But we knew it was going to be hard, that Liverpool would come out and go for it and they did, and probably deserved their equaliser."

Lescott and central defensive partner Phil Jagielka were outstanding in front of England coach Fabio Capello, watching from the directors' box.

Lescott said: "It would be nice for us both to be in the England squad. Hopefully we have both done enough to get in there again."

Moyes added: "Joleon has been terrific all season, as has Phil. And we have needed them, they have both handled Fernando Torres very well in both games."