David Moyes: Liverpool are favourites to take fourth place

Mar 16 2008

Everton manager David Moyes insisted that Liverpool remain favourites to clinch the fourth Champions League spot after his side’s first league defeat since December.

Although Moyes has not given up on fourth spot, Everton are now three points behind their Merseyside rivals which he claimed put them in pole position.

“Liverpool were always favourites, I’ve said that many times,” Moyes said.

“We are just going to try and win as many as we can and keep going. We’ve been on a great run but today was not one of our better performances.

“The players have been terrific but today we dropped below the high standards we have set. I am disappointed with today’s game.

“The players have been excellent and this is our first defeat in I don’t know how many league games but we’ve not got a great record at Fulham.”

Everton’s chances were hampered even further by an early groin injury to striker Andrew Johnson and Moyes admitted the lack of attacking options is becoming something of a concern.

The Everton manage was already without Tim Cahill, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe through injury and Johnson’s enforced substitution has not helped.

Moyes added: “It is a concern at the moment - Andy has a groin strain but I looked at my bench and I didn’t have a lot of options.

“The mood has been good and the club has done great. I am just disappointed we didn’t play well but I have to give Fulham credit because they made it hard for us.

“I didn’t think it was a game of many chances and they shaded the half chances more than us. We should have done much better and stopped their goal.

“I don’t like anybody scoring against but Brian is a great player, great professional and he deserves everything he gets.”