Source: Liverpool_Echo
Leighton Baines - Everton FC now getting the respect they deserve
Tim Cahill celebrates at Blackburn 300[LNB]LEIGHTON BAINES believes Everton are being treated like a top four club by opponents since their return to form and fitness in January.[LNB]The defender, who played a crucial part in the last-gasp winner during a 3-2 victory at Ewood Park, claims the Toffees are finally getting the recognition they deserve for the quality of their football.[LNB]Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce insisted that David Moyes' men are one of the best teams in the Premier League before kick-off on Saturday, and Baines is pleased at how perceptions of the Blues have shifted.[LNB]He said: 'It's definitely something I've noticed. When we played well against Arsenal, Arsene Wenger was very complimentary of us after what we did against them, and Martin O'Neill spoke highly of us after the Villa game on Wednesday.[LNB]'People are very much aware of us. We find teams come to Goodison now and pack the midfield and try and make it hard for us to play.[LNB]'We're trying to find ways to get around that and play our football. We're trying to get around it in the right way, and go in the right direction. With a fully fit squad next season we'll have a good go.'[LNB]Everton's task in trying to secure a seventh-place finish now entails victories over three sides below them with little to play for.[LNB]But the England left-back insists they must be at their best if they are to take the maximum nine points on offer, and need to stop surrendering the lead.
