Everton boss David Moyes insists finishing as high as possible is his side's sole priority for the remainder of the season.
Manager not fixating on finishing above Liverpool
Everton boss David Moyes insists finishing as high as possible in the Premier League is his side's sole priority for the remainder of the season.
The Toffees are well placed to end up in a better position than their neighbours Liverpool for only the second time since their last title win of 1987.
With two games remaining, Moyes' side have a three-point advantage over their rivals and can take a big step towards a higher finish with victory at relegated Wolves on Sunday.
That would doubtless provide comfort for supporters after losing to Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-finals but Moyes' chief aim is to keep the current seventh spot, the best they can now attain.
Aiming high
The Scot said: "It is not something I am overly talking about. We have got two games to go, so it is running out.
"We have got a couple of points ahead so because of that we would try to stay above anybody, but it wouldn't matter if it was Liverpool or any other team in the division.
"You just want to stay as high up the league as you can."
It has been a difficult campaign for Moyes, beginning against a backdrop of fan protests against the board over a continued lack of investment in the squad.
For more than two years Moyes was forced to rely largely on free transfers and loans to strengthen his side but again he has battled through to achieve respectability.
The purse strings were loosened a little in January as he brought in striker Nikica Jelavic from Rangers and the Croatian has proved an instant hit, fuelling the Blues' strong finish with 10 goals in 14 appearances.
With two other cheap arrivals in midfielder Darron Gibson and loanee Steven Pienaar also making an impact, Moyes feels the season is heading towards a satisfactory conclusion, even if he wants better.
Ambition
Moyes said: "If you had given me this at the start of the season I would have taken it because it's close to where we have been in recent seasons.
"But I can't turn around and say I am happy finishing seventh or eighth because that is no ambition.
"That is why, at the start of every season, I say I want to win the league - and I do want to win the league.
"If I can't finish first I'll try to finish second or third or fourth. But the best we can do at the moment is seventh."
