Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar claims this season was a "failure" for the Toffees.

David Moyes' side struggled badly with injuries early on but rallied impressively in the second half of the campaign as they beat champions Chelsea and Manchester United at Goodison Park to finish eighth in the Barclays Premier League.

But having finished fifth and been FA Cup runners-up the previous year Pienaar feels the team have come up well short.

"I think it's been a failure," said the South Africa international.

"We didn't start fresh at the beginning of the season due to injury problems and we suffered from that throughout the season.

"The beginning of the season was the lowest point, especially when we lost 6-1 against Arsenal (at home on the opening day).

"At the end we didn't qualify for Europe and that's why I reckon this year has to be considered as a failure."

Pienaar has just 12 months remaining on his contract but has said that he is keen to extend his stay at Goodison Park.