Why I'm betting on Everton finishing above Liverpool this season

By Simon Mullock

Published 13:32 12/03/10

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Everton's renaissance this season seems to have gone unnoticed everywhere apart from Merseyside.

David Moyes has done another incredible job at Goodison given the lack of investment and the injuries he’s had to contend with.

So much so that I spent yesterday trawling the internet trying to find out what the odds are for Everton to finish above Liverpool in the Premier League table.

While one team in the city are finishing the season on their last legs the other have hit top-four form.

Everton began the campaign being battered 6-1 at home by Arsenal. Before the turn of the year they had also lost to Burnley, Fulham, Bolton and Hull and been held at home by Stoke and Wolves.

Given Liverpool’s inconsistent form at the time, that’s when I should have really lumped on Everton finishing as top dogs on Merseyside.

But like everyone else, I expected Liverpool to come good once they had Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres back to full fitness.

Everton don’t do superstars.

They do have talented individuals like Mikel Arteta, Louis Saha an Marouane Fellaini.

But what Moyes has built is a team ethic and level of organisation that Liverpool’s can’t come close to at the moment.

Everton look to their best players to do their bit. Liverpool look to their best players to do it all.

In 2010, the Blues have beaten Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City and deserved more than a draw at Arsenal.

The only time they didn’t perform was in the derby at Anfield when they lost 1-0 against 10 men.

Even so, Everton only trail Liverpool in the table by seven points and they have a game in hand.

I wouldn’t bet against them finishing above the Reds for only the second time in the last 22 years.

In fact, if I could gets some decent odds I’d stick a few quid on them doing it.

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