PHIL NEVILLE admits Everton must learn how to cope with greater expectations if they are to realistically challenge for Champions League qualification.

David Moyes’s side have been touted as strong contenders for a top-four finish following their impressive ending to last season in which they lost only two of their final 24 Premier League games.

However, they began the new campaign in hugely disappointing fashion by slipping to a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The Goodison outfit will look to bounce back from that loss when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening home game at the weekend.

And Neville accepts Moyes’s men have to start handling the pressure that comes with scrapping among the leading Premier League contenders.

“Expectation is good,” said the Everton skipper. “That’s what we’ve wanted so we can’t complain about it now. We’ve wanted a big squad and two players for every position.

“With that comes expectation. Now that we’ve got it we can’t suddenly go into our shell and become fearful.

“Now it’s another step. It will show our mettle. It will show if we’ve really got what it takes to get into that top four.

“To get into the top four in this league takes everything you’ve got and more. Having a good squad doesn’t just guarantee you a top four place.

“We’re going to have to get back to playing and we’re going to have to earn everything we get this season. Nobody has a divine right to finish in fourth position.

“Talk is cheap. We just need to get back playing and winning games.”