Everton boss David Moyes claims qualifying for Europe this season would be among his greatest achievements - but feels it is just out of reach.
The Toffees have recovered from a poor start to the campaign to make a late charge for a Europa League spot with a run of just two defeats in 16 games.
Moyes' side were 16th in the Premier League at the end of November but Saturday's victory over Bolton lifted them to eighth.
Moyes said: "In October if you'd have asked me if finishing in the top 10 would have been one of my best achievements, I would probably have said yes.
"Now, if we could make Europe, however it comes around, would be a great achievement.
"If we did it, I would have to put it up there. From the position we have come from, it would be a really good achievement from us.
"I think Everton need Europe as well and I will be disappointed if we don't get there - but I think we are a long way off it at the moment."
Everton are still five points behind seventh-placed Aston Villa having played a game more ahead of tonight's trip to Manchester City.
City, currently fifth, have also played a game less and have an eight-point advantage over the Merseysiders.
Everton, though, could move within three points of arch-rivals Liverpool, having played the same number of games, with victory at Eastlands.
Nevertheless, Moyes still thinks overhauling any of those sides would be a tough task.
He said: "I think it is too big an ask to catch the teams above us.
"I think we would need to do really well and expect those teams to falter quite a bit.
"Those teams have got the points in the bag and we would need to do our talking on the pitch, but it is a big ask."
Everton are looking to complete a double over City having overcome Roberto Mancini's side at Goodison Park in January.
That win came early in a run of consecutive home successes Everton extended to seven with their 2-0 defeat of Bolton.
It also allowed Moyes to get one over a club he was openly critical of during Joleon Lescott's acrimonious £22million move from Merseyside to Eastlands last summer.
Moyes, who will be spared a reunion with the player tonight by injury, said: "It is satisfying beating anybody but we were hard done by.
"It took us a long time to recover from the damage done by that transfer."
Everton have forward Victor Anichebe available after a scan showed no serious damage from the blow to the ribs he suffered against Bolton.
