Moyes talks up Euro chances

Everton manager David Moyes believes his side can secure European qualification if they finish above Tottenham this season.

Moyes praised the London side’s ability to consistently reach either the Champions League or Europa League and has suggested that his Everton side can do the same if they finish higher than Spurs in the Premier League.

But, ahead of this Sunday’s meeting between the two sides at Goodison Park, Moyes also revealed his belief that doing so will provide a ‘big challenge’ for the Merseyside club.

“To finish above Tottenham would give you a great chance to be in Europe, that’s for sure,” Moyes told reporters.

“But I think Tottenham are a good side with some really good players, so it will be a big challenge for us.

“I think Tottenham have always been there or thereabouts. They’ve set their club up and their team up to try to be in Europe.

“They were great in the Champions League with Harry (Redknapp) a year or so ago and this year they’ve done well to qualify for the next stages of the Europa League.

“Tottenham you would always see as one of the clubs who will be competing at the top end of the league.”

Moyes also thinks that Everton’s recent run of seven draws in nine games will not affect their league position at the business end of the season as he believes it is too early in the calendar to think about the league’s final standings.

“We’re still quite early, we’re not into Christmas time and a lot will change over the next month or two,” he said.

“You don’t need to be right up there right away, though I’d like to be.

“I knew this was going to be a difficult period but I’m pleased with the way we’ve played, especially against Arsenal and Manchester City.

“I think in both games there were periods where we could have won the game and also periods where I was happy with how we defended, so I’ll go into this game with a lot of confidence and faith that the team will go and produce another good performance.”