Everton boss David Moyes insists he is still looking for the magic extra ingredient that can turn his improving side into trophy-winners.

The Toffees' dreams of a Wembley final were ended on Wednesday night as they lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea in the Carling Cup semi-final second leg, resulting in a 3-1 aggregate defeat.

Moyes said: "We did well, but was it the luck of the bounce or poor positioning, I don't know. We had only a few chances and in semi-finals when things break, you have to take your chances. We didn't.

"We had a fine chance with a header from (Joleon) Lescott in the first half, if that had gone in it may have been different.

"It was a brilliant effort from the players, we played well in several periods of the game.

"But we need to find that bit extra that gets you to cup finals, that wins semi-finals, we need to find that special magic ingredient."

He added: "It might be the quality of the players. Chelsea have some top-quality players. But we gave it good go, even if there was a lapse in concentration that gave them their goal, that should not have happened.

"Their counter-attacking was superb. (Claude) Makelele was outstanding, as were their two centre-backs and the goalkeeper. That was the difference.

"By the end of this season we will find out whether we have that special ingredient. But to try to beat one of the best sides in the country over two legs was always going to be tough.

"We were very close in both games, they have been tight. On another night it could have fallen for us, but not this time.

"We now want to do well in the UEFA Cup, that is what we must be focused on while we are also pleased with the way we are doing in the league.

"We need to be better, but we are close. We do not want to wait much longer and I hope we learn from this experience.

"The fans were tremendous, they appreciated that the players gave everything. And as a club we are making progress, but I now want the next bit to get into the top four."