Everton manager David Moyes fears his in-form team have left it too
late to nick fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League and a place
in next season's Champions League.
The Toffees are arguably the form team in the top flight,
having beaten Chelsea and Manchester United - the division's
leading two sides - in their past two league matches.
They are rapidly closing in on the four teams above them -
Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa - who are
currently battling it out for the final Champions League berth.
And a win at White Hart Lane on Sunday against Spurs, who
headed into the weekend occupying fourth place, would give Everton
fans yet more hope their team could achieve a Lazarus-style
recovery from their poor start to the season.
But Moyes has moved to play down the rising expectations that
are now accompanying his side as they dive headlong into the
business end of the campaign.
"I think fourth is too far to get to," said the Scot, whose
side are eight points behind Tottenham with a game in hand.
"I've said this all along - that the start we had to the
season makes it too big a catch-up for us.
"Obviously we will keep trying to get as close as we can but
I think to mention coming fourth is a bit too extravagant. But we
will see."
Given his team have been flying in the Premier League, their
3-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday - a defeat which knocked
Everton out of the Europa League at the Round of 32 stage - came as
something of a shock to Moyes.
Having taken a 2-1 lead into the second leg in Portugal and
with Sporting struggling in their own domestic league, Everton were
expected in many quarters to progress into the competition's second
knockout round but instead they crashed out.
Moyes has now challenged his side to consign that result to
the history books and rediscover the form that has served them so
well in the league of late.
"We need to get back playing how we have been over the last
two or three months," Moyes added.
"We have had the odd blip, but over that period we have done
really well and the lads have done a great job.
"We are probably the form team in the Premier League, maybe
apart from Manchester United, and overall I don't think the players
could have done any more.
"Obviously we had a disappointing performance and result
(against Sporting) but that doesn't hide the way they have been
playing."
Centre-halves Sylvain Distin and Johnny Heitinga are likely
to return to Everton's line-up on Sunday, with Joseph Yobo and the
injured Philippe Senderos (hip) set to make way.
Phil Jagielka made his comeback from 10 months out with
knee-ligament damage when he came on as a second-half substitute
against Sporting but he is unlikely to figure this weekend, with
Moyes insistent he will not rush the former Sheffield United
defender back to first-team action.
Louis Saha should lead the line at White Hart Lane, buoyed by
his call-up to the France squad after more than three years in the
international wilderness.
Saha has scored 13 league goals this season and Moyes is
delighted the striker's form has been recognised by Les Bleus coach
Raymond Domenech.
"I think it's terrific for Louis - hopefully he can make a
late run for the World Cup squad," Moyes said.
"We are in form. And when Everton are in form, that's where
international managers will be looking.
"Louis has got undoubted talent and he wouldn't look out of
place with whatever players they put in that squad, that's for
sure."
