Phil Jagielka fired up for Everton's clash with Wolves

27 March 2010 05:00
IT IS the classic tortoise and the hare scenario. Or to copy David Moyes, perhaps a topical Grand National analogy is more apt - think Amberleigh House in 2004.[LNB]The popular winner was held back off the chasing pack until right at the death, when he caught them on a turn and romped home to glory.[LNB]Consider Everton and the ever-beguiling race for a European spot.[LNB]Moyes said: 'Those other teams have been in the top spots all year and it's like the Grand National: can you stay out in front or are you going to get pegged back in the long race around the course?'[LNB]Victory over Wolves today at Molineux could see the Blues draw level on points with Aston Villa, but Moyes remains keen to keep a sense of perspective.[LNB]'If we can do that tomorrow from where we were that would be a great achievement because the players have come from such a far way away,' he says.[LNB]'So it would be good. But how long would we be there? You would only know on the Monday how good it's been. The big thing is to get the result really.[LNB]'I think the points total for the teams in the fourth, fifth and sixth positions has been a high one, which in normal years might not quite be what it is.[LNB]'That might show the spending of Tottenham, Villa and Man City - it's got them more points and it's got them near the top. Those three teams have had a go at getting up there and they've closed the gap on Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea and it's made it much harder for the other teams to get among them.[LNB]'That might drop off before the end of the season, who knows? But it's high at the moment.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo