Baines: Spurs clash not decisive

Leighton Baines says Everton’s prospects of a top-four finish will not be decided by their game against Tottenham on Sunday.

Everton sit four points off the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot ahead of their clash with third-placed Spurs at White Hart Lane.

But, with seven league fixtures remaining after the game against Andre Villas-Boas’ side, Baines believes Everton’s hopes of a berth in UEFA’s elite club competition will not be ended by defeat.

“It’s a big game but there are plenty more after that and it won’t be decided by next weekend,” Baines told the Liverpool Echo.

“We are the ones who are trailing and that probably means we are the least favourite of the teams but we are fighters.

“We won’t stop believing and we will give everything we have got, as we did last week (against Manchester City) and today.

“If we can win a few more games and get close to the end of the season, that’s where we want to be.

“It’s a very big game now and an opportunity for us to catch them or for them to get a bit of distance.”