Everton adjust to new targets

The bitter experience of losing the derby game to Liverpool last weekend did not disguise the improvement in Everton's performance. And last night, despite a debilitating injury list, Everton showed the passion to record a win that saw them qualify for the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

Further injuries to Jo, Sylvain Distin and Dan Gosling to add to the injuries already sustained by Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo, Phil Neville, Jack Rodwell, Leon Osman and Mikel Arteta - added to squad players out like Vaughan and Anichebe means that Everton are missing half their first team squad. The only good news is that most of these players - including the pivotal Arteta - are due to return from injury in the next four or five weeks.

For the next month all Everton can do is nurse players through and even play what look like weakened teams in December to avoid further scares - David Moyes reckons that Distin's injury has come from having to overplay him.

By the start of January Everton should be back to something like full strength; too late to save a league campaign that could have threatened a top four finish - but soon enough for a range of other options. Once back to full strength Everton can contemplate gently rising into the top half of the table, but more interestingly Everton can also target the two cup competitions that gather pace in 2010.

In the new year the FA Cup and Europa League will be the big targets - especially with a bunch of players fresh from injury layoffs. At full strength Everton can seriously contemplate winning one of these tournaments - and there is the sweet prospect that they may run across a less motivated Liverpool side in either competition.