Neville: Everton want to catch Chelsea and Manchester City

Jan 14, 2013 1:15:00 AM

The Toffees captain believes they can look further up the table than Tottenham in fourth spot, but insists Champions League qualification is the main aim this term

Phil Neville says Everton are not just aiming for a top-four finish, but have targeted leapfrogging Chelsea and Manchester City in the Premier League table.

The Toffees sit three points behind Tottenham in fifth place following a goalless draw at home to Swansea on Saturday.

Champions City are eight points ahead of the Mersyside club in second, but Neville believes his side must carry on looking up the league table.

“[Everton] want to finish in the top four, and not just fourth,” he told Sky Sports.

“We have got to keep aiming high, not waiting for teams to catch us up. We can’t look behind us. We have got to be positive, look forward to the next games.

"We need to keep believing and thinking like that, it is the only way to be.”

The 35-year-old, who started the clash at Goodison Park on Saturday, bemoaned a number of missed chances for his side against Swansea – but is delighted with Everton’s performances this term as a whole, and called on his team-mates to dig deep heading into the second half of the season.

He said: “Against teams like Swansea, who drop a bit deeper, you need to take the individual chances. It was slightly disappointing because we had two or three chances.

"We need to play with more speed but we are still in a great position in the league to attack the second half of the season and we are still in the FA Cup.

“It is that time of year, the pitches are getting softer, a bit more bobbly and the weather is cold. It is about digging out results rather than playing fantastic football. This was a disappointing draw but we live to fight another day."

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