Leon Osman: Everton will fight to the finish

Apr 8 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

LEON OSMAN believes Everton’s battle for fourth spot with Liverpool could go to the last minute of the last match of the season.

Versatile midfielder Osman bagged his seventh goal of the season to clinch the points against relegated Derby County in Sunday’s 1-0 victory at Goodison.

It ended a run of three games without a win and cut the gap on their fourth-placed neighbours to three points.

Liverpool’s vastly superior goal difference effectively makes their lead four points, but Osman reckons that Everton will push their city rivals right to the limit.

“It’s a great battle with Liverpool, the fact that we are both in the same city obviously gives it that extra edge,” said the midfielder.

“Whether we were both fighting for fourth or 10th, there would always be a bite about it because we want to be above Liverpool in the league.

“As long as there is a chance we will keep fighting, even if it means going right to the last minute of the final game.

“We will not give up without a real fight now.

“And it could well go to that last match for both of us. We have big games and probably a harder run-in than Liverpool with games against Chelsea and Arsenal.

“It would be great if we went into the last game with the race for fourth still not decided. It will say a lot about us and how we have gone about the final part of the season.

“And I believe it could well go right down to that last match for both of us.”

If Everton win at Birmingham City on Saturday it will not give them 63 points, a club record in the Premier League, and put them level on points at least with Liverpool, who play Blackburn Rovers at home the following day.

Osman added: “Of course we all want to be in the Champions League. We have done well this season and do not want things to slip away from us now. We are still fighting for fourth, make no mistake about that.

“We have some difficult games left. Every match we have left is against teams who are fighting for something. Birmingham first on Saturday, and they will be desperate for points, and then we have Chelsea at Goodison.

“It won’t be getting any easier. But we aim to enjoy the last five games and give it everything we have.”

Osman has now targeted reaching double figures in terms of goals before the end of the campaign.

“I only scored three last season, so I have doubled that and more,” he said. “Can I get to 10? I hope so. But there is always more to come from me, I am never satisfied and look for faults in my own game.

“I try to improve, that is part of being a professional. Mind you, it is a little difficult being asked to play various positions, like me.

“I feel I am adaptable but you have to learn the requirements of each position you are asked to play, whether it’s wide, central or in the ‘hole’ behind the striker.

“I enjoy it more in the centre of midfield, and when I did get myself into that position I was able to get behind their midfield with late runs and that is where my goal came from.”