Moyes hails improving team

Updated 08.10 Tue Feb 26 2008

Keywords: joleon lescott, david moyes, uefa cup, premier league, everton, manchester city, football, yakubu, sport

Everton manager David Moyes is convinced the club's Uefa Cup run has helped them to improve in the Premier League.

Yakubu and Joleon Lescott both scored as Everton won 2-0 at Manchester City, four days after they thrashed the Norwegian side Brann to reach the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.

"The players are getting better and European football has helped us" - David Moyes

The victory lifted Everton above local rivals Liverpool into fourth place in the table and they are still fighting for a place in the Champions League.

With nine league games left, they still have to play Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool but they are on course to claim more points this year than in any of Moyes's five seasons in charge.

Moyes said: "To get 50 points at this stage of the season is fantastic and we have to keep building on it. The players are getting better and European football has helped us.

"There is a belief we can get good results, and I certainly believe in the players. We played well against City and defended superbly. We kept our discipline and made it hard for them to break us down."

Liverpool are still regarded as the favourites to claim the final Champions League place, but Everton defender Phil Jagielka insists his team-mates are determined to fight for fourth place.

Jagielka said: "If we can finish fourth, it will have been a massive season for us.

"Every point from now on will be vital. If we can keep our performances like we did against City then we should be there or thereabouts."

Manchester City midfielder Martin Petrov was sent off in injury time at Eastlands for kicking Leon Osman, but City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson thought the red card was harsh.

He said: "I thought it was very harsh. The player backed into him and he flicked his boot at him. The Everton players seemed surprised he was sent off. But he got it and that's it.

"We have been brought back down to earth after beating United but I thought we did well in the first 30 minutes.

"But in a few minutes we gave two goals away too easily and after that it was very difficult for us."