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

IT has been a week of typically mixed fortunes for Everton and Evertonians.Like most people I left the derby feeling strangely optimistic, despite the fact we'd just lost to a poor Liverpool team. 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.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.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. My answer is always the same; it's better to be in that out of any competition you enter.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.The result came at a cost in terms of injuries, but it was fantastic to see Dimitar Bilyaletdinovput his derby day hesitancy behind him to finish exquisitely with his left foot.I'm really pleased we've reached the kncockout stages, plus with a game to spare.It provides some optimism moving forward.

Source: Liverpool_Echo