Post by Taxigirl on May 9, 2005 7:36:28 GMT
skysports.planetfootball.com
by Mark Buckingham
David Moyes could not hide his delight after Everton secured a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League, after city rivals Liverpool lost at Arsenal.
Liverpool had to win at Highbury to take the race for Champions League football into the final week of the season.
But a 3-1 reverse in North London confirmed The Toffees as The Premiership's fourth representative in the 2005/06 Champions League.
Everton boss Moyes was understandably proud at the achievement of his side, who started the season being described as relegation candidates.
"It feels great," Moyes told Sky Sports 1. "It's been a long haul and it's been terrific getting there. I'm really delighted with it now.
"I did feel that Liverpool and Bolton were pushing us really hard and there was an awful lot of confidence coming out of Liverpool about who was the best team in the city.
"I felt under pressure but I never said that we had got the best players. I felt we had a good team and though we had a small squad if we could keep them all fit I thought we would have a chance.
"To do it is a dream come true, it's a massive achievement for Everton Football Club."
Liverpool still have this season's Champions League final to contest but they will not be able to defend their trophy should they vanquish Milan.
The Football Association confirmed earlier in the week that fourth place would take the final spot in the Champions League and Moyes feels it would have been a travesty if Everton had been denied the chance to tackle Europe's elite.
"I didn't have any fears [about missing out]," he added. "I trust the people in The FA and have a lot of belief in the system. I knew the rules.
"The team who wins the Champions League should have the opportunity to contest it but that isn't necessary the rules of this country.
"If that had happened I thought there would have been uproar, it would have been a disgrace and it could have caused problems in this city.
"There is no denying that Everton are the best team in the city this season."
Moyes also took time to praise the work of Goodison Park chairman Bill Kenwright after only Tim Cahill and Marcus Bent were added to the squad prior to the start of the season, while Wayne Rooney was sold to Manchester United.
He continued: "Both of them (Cahill and Bent) have been exceptional this season. They were the only two signings we brought in in the summer and we let so many players go.
"We had to balance the books and a lot of credit has to go to Bill Kenwright and the board who had a difficult summer.
"In the end, for Everton to get to where we are now is something which very, very few people would have believed in."
by Mark Buckingham
David Moyes could not hide his delight after Everton secured a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League, after city rivals Liverpool lost at Arsenal.
Liverpool had to win at Highbury to take the race for Champions League football into the final week of the season.
But a 3-1 reverse in North London confirmed The Toffees as The Premiership's fourth representative in the 2005/06 Champions League.
Everton boss Moyes was understandably proud at the achievement of his side, who started the season being described as relegation candidates.
"It feels great," Moyes told Sky Sports 1. "It's been a long haul and it's been terrific getting there. I'm really delighted with it now.
"I did feel that Liverpool and Bolton were pushing us really hard and there was an awful lot of confidence coming out of Liverpool about who was the best team in the city.
"I felt under pressure but I never said that we had got the best players. I felt we had a good team and though we had a small squad if we could keep them all fit I thought we would have a chance.
"To do it is a dream come true, it's a massive achievement for Everton Football Club."
Liverpool still have this season's Champions League final to contest but they will not be able to defend their trophy should they vanquish Milan.
The Football Association confirmed earlier in the week that fourth place would take the final spot in the Champions League and Moyes feels it would have been a travesty if Everton had been denied the chance to tackle Europe's elite.
"I didn't have any fears [about missing out]," he added. "I trust the people in The FA and have a lot of belief in the system. I knew the rules.
"The team who wins the Champions League should have the opportunity to contest it but that isn't necessary the rules of this country.
"If that had happened I thought there would have been uproar, it would have been a disgrace and it could have caused problems in this city.
"There is no denying that Everton are the best team in the city this season."
Moyes also took time to praise the work of Goodison Park chairman Bill Kenwright after only Tim Cahill and Marcus Bent were added to the squad prior to the start of the season, while Wayne Rooney was sold to Manchester United.
He continued: "Both of them (Cahill and Bent) have been exceptional this season. They were the only two signings we brought in in the summer and we let so many players go.
"We had to balance the books and a lot of credit has to go to Bill Kenwright and the board who had a difficult summer.
"In the end, for Everton to get to where we are now is something which very, very few people would have believed in."