Despite a middling season and an FA Cup exit last week, Everton FC have made a late push away from proximity to relegation and toward a possible top-10 finish in the Premier League. Now Coach David Moyes is hoping to finish strong with a chance at making the Europa League tournament.

One week after being knocked out of the FA Cup by the Championship side Reading and languishing five points above the relegation zone, Everton will rise to eighth in the table should they beat Birmingham City in their rearranged fixture at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. Birmingham’s Carling Cup triumph has reduced the opportunity to secure a Europa League spot through the Premier League this season but, while conceding Everton’s prospects are slim, Moyes insists a sustained run of form is not beyond his squad.

“I said when I joined that I thought the club needed Europe. I needed it and the players needed it,” the Everton manager said. “We missed out last year, probably because of the injuries that we had to Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta. But we have not had those problems this time. We have not had that excuse. Never at any time have we challenged or looked like doing so.

Guardian: “Everton can rescue season with Europa League push, says David Moyes”