DELIGHTED David Moyes believes Everton now have European qualification in their own hands after recording their biggest win of the season.

On-loan striker Jo scored twice as the Goodison outfit thumped Wigan Athletic 4-0 at home yesterday.

The result strengthened Everton’s grip on sixth place and a berth in next season’s UEFA Europa League.

Moyes’s side have now opened up a seven-point gap on nearest challengers West Ham and dented Wigan’s own claims for a top-six finish.

And having seen his team bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth a fortnight ago, Moyes said: “I was impressed and thought we played well. Maybe in recent games we have not played as well as we can do.

“In the first half we did well enough and got the goal but the goals just after half-time put an end to the game.

“You never know how the players are going to perform after an international break, and it’s a pat on the back to the players, some of which have come back from different parts of the world.

“I don't think that result guarantees Europe for us just yet because there are still a lot of points to play for and there are other teams chasing.

“But it has given us a stranglehold and it is for us to throw away. We have to make sure we see it through at least.”

Jo opened the floodgates on 27 minutes before netting Everton’s third during a 14-minute second-half spell in which Marouane Fellaini and Leon Osman also scored.

The Brazilian has now netted five goals in seven appearances since arriving from Manchester City on loan in January.

Moyes intimated over the weekend that he has yet to make a decision on whether to pursue a permanent deal for the 22-year-old.

But he said yesterday: “Jo has done really well and his goal return has been decent. He is improving as it goes on.

“We hope he can get some confidence back into his game and get some goals under his belt.