Moyes aims for top spot on Merseyside

Blues boss aiming to leapfrog city rivals.
By Daniel Gregory 01/03/08

Everton manager David Moyes has revealed he wants to overtake city rivals Liverpool on and off the pitch before he leaves Goodison.

Moyes, the third longest standing manager in the Premier League, behind Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, has been in charge at Everton for 6 years, and has overseen a massive turn around in fortunes for the Goodison Park club.

Everton are hot on the heels of the top four and hold the crucial fourth Champions League spot at the moment, three points ahaead of Liverpool.

Moyes is renowned for his shrewd acquisitions in the transfer market, bringing in players from a lower league and turning them into quality Premier League players. Signings such as Tim Cahill (£2million), Joleon Lescott (£5million), Phil Jagielka (£4million) and Andrew Johnson (£7million) show Moyes eye for potential from the lower leagues. And combined with the signings of Mikel Arteta (£3.5million), Tim Howard (£3million), Joseph Yobo (£3.5million) and the potential signing of on loan winger Steven Pienaar (£2.5millon), represent top acquisitions for a manager working with a limited budget.

In addition to his workings in the transfer market, Moyes has also overseen the transition of the Toffee's from relegation strugglers to a side looking to break the stranglehold of the top four.

Everton can further their chances of a European spot with three points against Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth tomorrow.