David Moyes is refusing to entertain talk of European qualification despite Everton's impressive unbeaten start to the Premier League season, wary of repeating last term's late collapse.A narrow 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at home moved Everton to nine points from five games, leaving them fifth in the table and one of only five sides yet to lose in the top flight this campaign. The victory was secured by an 11th-minute strike from Thierno Barry, his fifth goal of the season.Despite the promising numbers - two wins, three draws, and five clean sheets in seven matches across all competitions - Moyes was adamant that his squad would not get carried away, pointing to painful memories from the end of last season.Everton had been flying high in March after thrashing Chelsea 3-0, a result that put them eighth and within three points of a Champions League spot. But the momentum evaporated entirely, with seven winless games to close out the campaign dropping them to a 13th-place finish, well outside the European places eventually filled by Brighton, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace."We are not using those words this year," Moyes said bluntly when asked if he had set his players a target of reaching Europe. He explained that his optimism last season stemmed from the remarkable turnaround his side produced after he returned to the club in January, when Everton were teetering just above the relegation zone. "I enjoyed saying the words last year. If you think of what we had done, been relegation material when we came in January, got out and won the games, 12/13 new players had to come in... But the players had done so well, I started to believe that we had a real chance, and it allowed me to be like that."This season's solid start has come despite a threadbare forward line. Deadline-day departures saw both striker Beto move to Fiorentina and attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye join Manchester City, leaving Barry as Everton's only recognised out-and-out striker. Even so, Moyes insisted there was significant room for improvement, highlighting a lack of clinical finishing. Everton managed 21 shots against Ipswich but just two on target. "I'm rapping them like you wouldn't believe - why are we not getting better crosses into the box, better finishes, shooting from the edge of the box, not scoring more? That's the only thing we're missing from being a half-decent side," he said.Moyes also pushed back against suggestions that last season's near-miss had been underwhelming, defending the progress made under difficult circumstances, including a squad rebuild and the challenges of settling into Everton's new stadium. "It was fantastic what we did and we came so close to doing something that would have been incredibly special after no money, being on the verge of relegation, moving to a new stadium... so we came really close," he said.BBC pundit Danny Murphy praised the structure and resilience of Moyes' side, noting that their defensive solidity and organisation have allowed them to grind out results even without reinforcements up front. "That backline with the keeper behind it is really solid," Murphy said, adding that fan frustration over the lack of a new striker signing was understandable but not a cause for alarm given the team's overall balance.Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford echoed the manager's satisfaction with the win over Ipswich, describing it as the perfect way to head into the international break. "You have to dig in, that's the Everton way," Pickford said. "We are building momentum and we will be focused and ready to go when we come back." He also praised Barry's improved form, saying the striker was reaping the rewards of hard work after a difficult debut season in England.Everton will resume their league campaign away at Hull City on 11 October, having already secured a home Carabao Cup last-16 tie against Newcastle United next month.Based on reporting from BBC Sport.