Phil Jagielka fired up for Everton's clash with Wolves

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.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.Consider Everton and the ever-beguiling race for a European spot.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?'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.'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.'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.'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.'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.'That might drop off before the end of the season, who knows? But it's high at the moment.'

Source: Liverpool_Echo