David Moyes is optimistic his side can still overhaul Liverpool. The Blues’ 1-0 win over Derby saw them move three points behind their local rivals in the fight for a Champions League place. Liverpool had drawn 1-1 at Arsenal on Saturday and the manager is hopeful of catching the Reds, but was also keen to point to his side’s achievements this term.

Moyes told evertonfc.com: “We are optimistic that we are still in with a chance of doing it. We’ve got 60 points, we’ve won 18 games in the league with five to go so we are in a healthy position.”

Indeed, the Blues’ could soon set a record points haul under Moyes - though he knows some improvements will be required.

The boss said: “I think if we won at Birmingham it gives us more points than I have had at Everton before. We’ve not created as many chances recently as we should have done, and in a way that was the case again.”

Next weekend, Everton visit Birmingham while Liverpool host Blackburn.