BARRY HORNE: Everton's Athens win must be followed up in Premier League

05 December 2009 02:00
IT has been a week of typically mixed fortunes for Everton and Evertonians.[LNB]Like most people I left the derby feeling strangely optimistic, despite the fact we'd just lost to a poor Liverpool team. [LNB]The highlight of the afternoon was undoubtedly Steven Pienaar's return. He was the main reason for a much improved performance and gave us a reminder of what we've been missing in terms of quality through the absence of himself, Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta.[LNB]Such is the confusion surrounding the failed stadium move proposal, and the financial situation at Everton right now, I fear Pienaar could be targeted by other clubs, if not in January certainly next summer given the continued good form he's shown.[LNB]In between the derby and Wednesday night's game in Athens I was asked in several interviews the same cliched question as to whether the Europa League is a good or bad thing for Everton. [LNB]My answer is always the same; it's better to be in that out of any competition you enter.[LNB]A seriously patched up team pulled together in Athens to produce a favourable result, albeit against a club whose financial state of affairs make Everton look like Manchester City.[LNB]The result came at a cost in terms of injuries, but it was fantastic to see Dimitar Bilyaletdinov[LNB]put his derby day hesitancy behind him to finish exquisitely with his left foot.[LNB]I'm really pleased we've reached the kncockout stages, plus with a game to spare.[LNB]It provides some optimism moving forward.

Source: Liverpool_Echo