Ystoop
Apr 29 2005, 08:56 AM
Everton will attempt to strengthen their bid for a top-four spot when they travel to relegation-threatened Fulham on Saturday.
The Toffees' remarkable season has been overshadowed in recent weeks by the controversy surrounding entry into next season's Champions League.
As long as Liverpool are still in this year's competition there remains some doubt as to whether Everton have any hope of appearing in European football's top club competition for the first time in 35 years.
Despite knowing that fourth place may not be enough for his side to play Champions League football next season Everton boss David Moyes was given further motivation to record a high finish this week.
It emerged that one of the club's directors, Paul Gregg, wanted to sack Moyes last summer as a result of last season's poor showing.
The Scot has already proved Gregg wrong, but finishing above neighbours Liverpool in the league would certainly press home the point.
Everton have achieved their surprise placing with a style of football that is not to everyone's taste, relying on a strong defence and a physical approach to win games. But, like Bolton's Sam Allardyce, Moyes is more concerned with results than satisfying the critics.
After a stuttering run in early Spring, the Toffees, inspired by a rejuvenated Duncan Ferguson, have gone three games without defeat to re-establish themselves as favourites in the race for fourth-place.
In contrast Fulham have not won in four games and are now just five points above the drop zone, with several of the teams below them in fine form.
Chris Coleman's assistant Steve Kean recently claimed that Fulham are in "a false position" but the pair must be aware that they need to take some points from their next two matches.
However, they have won only six home Premiership games this term and with a defence that has already conceded 56 times, despite having one of the league's better goalkeepers, securing points is not going to be easy.
At least the Cottagers will be able to welcome back midfield lynchpin Papa Bouba Diop, but they have doubts about the fitness of Andy Cole, Sylvain Legwinski and Ian Pearce.
Everton will be without injured defenders Alan Stubbs and Gary Naysmith.
In November a Ferguson goal gave Everton a 1-0 win against Fulham at Goodison Park and a similar result looks the most likely outcome on Saturday.
The Toffees' remarkable season has been overshadowed in recent weeks by the controversy surrounding entry into next season's Champions League.
As long as Liverpool are still in this year's competition there remains some doubt as to whether Everton have any hope of appearing in European football's top club competition for the first time in 35 years.
Despite knowing that fourth place may not be enough for his side to play Champions League football next season Everton boss David Moyes was given further motivation to record a high finish this week.
It emerged that one of the club's directors, Paul Gregg, wanted to sack Moyes last summer as a result of last season's poor showing.
The Scot has already proved Gregg wrong, but finishing above neighbours Liverpool in the league would certainly press home the point.
Everton have achieved their surprise placing with a style of football that is not to everyone's taste, relying on a strong defence and a physical approach to win games. But, like Bolton's Sam Allardyce, Moyes is more concerned with results than satisfying the critics.
After a stuttering run in early Spring, the Toffees, inspired by a rejuvenated Duncan Ferguson, have gone three games without defeat to re-establish themselves as favourites in the race for fourth-place.
In contrast Fulham have not won in four games and are now just five points above the drop zone, with several of the teams below them in fine form.
Chris Coleman's assistant Steve Kean recently claimed that Fulham are in "a false position" but the pair must be aware that they need to take some points from their next two matches.
However, they have won only six home Premiership games this term and with a defence that has already conceded 56 times, despite having one of the league's better goalkeepers, securing points is not going to be easy.
At least the Cottagers will be able to welcome back midfield lynchpin Papa Bouba Diop, but they have doubts about the fitness of Andy Cole, Sylvain Legwinski and Ian Pearce.
Everton will be without injured defenders Alan Stubbs and Gary Naysmith.
In November a Ferguson goal gave Everton a 1-0 win against Fulham at Goodison Park and a similar result looks the most likely outcome on Saturday.