Everton Manager Aims To Copy City Rivals

Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes his big rival Liverpool’s unlikely title challenge this season has shown it is possible triumph in the Premier League without necessarily being rich.

Martinez, whose side is facing a demoralising prospect of finishing outside the top four wants his side to end the season in style and prove they can do what Liverpool have achieved this time around.

“What Liverpool have done is open up the perception of everyone and show you should be able to expect – or try – to win the league with a strong team.

“It’s not like at the start of this season and people saying you’ve not chance of winning the league because you haven’t got the finances of others.

“They’ve shown if you concentrate on what you do, if you’re strong and good enough at what you do, you have an opportunity.

“So, it’s about making sure from window to window we finish with a stronger squad – and this team is capable of competing with anyone.”

Toffees already have their most points of any Premier League season and could end with a total of 78, only to find it’s not enough for a top four spot.

“The fifth-placed team this season will be the unluckiest never to get into the Champions League, 100 per cent – and it’s going to get harder and harder,” Martinez explained.

“Look at the teams missing out, or currently sixth and seventh – Spurs and Manchester United – and with the points they have you’d be expecting them to be fighting for the top four.

“It’s just the nature of how tough the competition is, and it’ll get harder and harder. You won’t see a league in world football where the difference between winning the title and finishing fifth is so close.

“But if you say to me do you prefer to get nine points now from our last three games or top four relying on others, I’d say nine points. That’s going to be the measure of us being successful next season.” Martinez said.

Everton visit Southampton for Saturday’s lunchtime game knowing victory would pile massive pressure on Arsenal in the race for fourth, but for the Goodison boss it is all about the bigger picture – that ironically, bitter rivals Liverpool have provided.