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Moyes: Only thing that matters is reaching Europe

Everton took a step closer to finishing above Liverpool for the second successive year - for the first time in the top flight since 1937 - after the sides' draw at Anfield yesterday, but David Moyes insists European qualification is his main aim this year.

It is not something which has happened that often - finishing above Liverpool. It is not something we look out for and I am sure it is not something Liverpool look out for. It shows we are trying to make progress against a lot of the other good sides in the division.

But the only thing that does matter is the European picture for us at Everton. We are trying to get back among the bigger boys and play on that stage as regularly as we possibly can.

We have already nearly got the best total we've ever had. We had 61 when we qualified (for the Champions League) and we've got 60 now so we've had a pretty good season.It will be disappointing if we don't get rewarded for it but we'll try to win the last two games and see if we can get rewarded.

The comfort for me would be to qualify for Europe. That would be my main objective, it doesn't change.

– David Moyes, speaking after Everton's 0-0 draw with Liverpool

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Moyes: Derby win would be for the fans

For Everton - for the team and the supporters - it will mean an awful lot, but personally, it is not an important thing really.

I'm looking forward to trying to get a result for the supporters.

You want to finish above every team - I wanted to finish above Manchester United and Manchester City this season.

Do I want to finish above Liverpool? Of course I do. But it can't be our sole objective, and I would be surprised if it was Liverpool's to finish above us.

In terms of our target at the moment, we are looking to see if we can catch Tottenham or one of the other teams above us.

– Everton manager David Moyes

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Pienaar chases Europe

The most important thing is to get into Europe.

I know at this stage it is difficult but we just want to win the games and see how far we go.

You don't know what is going to happen on top of us. Maybe one of the teams can lose all their games and we win all ours.

We just want to win the games that are left.

Derbies mean a lot and we know what's at stake.

For the people of the city and the pride of the club it's one of those games you don't want to lose.

We will give everything to make sure we come away from Anfield with three points because it has been a long while since we won there.

– Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar

Baines happy to avoid Suarez

Everton defender Leighton Baines admits they are grateful to be facing a Luis Suarez-less Liverpool in next week's Merseyside derby.

Yes, we're glad we don't have to face Luis Suarez because he's a top player and he has done so much for Liverpool this season," said the England international.

If they had been missing him this season they probably wouldn't be where they are in the league at the moment. He will be a big loss for them.

But they have got very good players throughout the team and it will be up to them to come to the fore and keep them going.

We understand the importance of it, it is a big game.

– Everton defender Leighton Baines.
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