Why Everton "should be Kings of Europe"
Everton would be champions of England and Europe if teams were judged on spirit alone, according to Blues boss David Moyes.
The Scot has been delighted with the form his injury-ravaged squad have maintained in recent months, and they take a record of just one league defeat in 11 to Blackburn tomorrow intent on making further progress up the Barclays Premier League table.
Moyes refuses to give up on qualifying for the Champions League, although their current sixth spot will ensure their participation in the Europa League, next season's rebranded UEFA Cup.
He will be without full-back Tony Hibbert for a month with a thigh injury to add to the loss of half his first-choice side over recent months.
But Everton have not been outside the top six since Christmas, and Moyes said: "The players have been terrific. We have got through a difficult few weeks with problems over injuries and maintained our position in the table.
"I still believe fourth place is up for grabs, it will be hard to catch Aston Villa with them eight points ahead of us, but it is not something we will give up on.
"We are sixth at the moment, and that means a European spot now after Manchester United's (Carling Cup final) win at Wembley on Sunday
"But I am looking much higher than that, it will be a tall order but not out of reach. If we can maintain our form of the last three months, we will not be far short of fourth or fifth."
He added: "We can still push Villa hard but it is a tough one and they are in pole position.
