Kilbane Tips Toffees For Return To Europe

Ex-Everton stalwart Kevin Kilbane has backed his old side for a return to European football next year with a top six finish in the Premier League this season.

The Toffees host bottom of the table West Ham on Sunday, with the visitors in search of their first Premier League point of the season having lost all four of their opening games under Manuel Pellegrini.

But speaking to us on Friday, Kilbane said the former Man City boss can’t expect any relief at Goodison Park:
“Everton have taken more points off West Ham than any other side in the Premier League and the way that they’ve started the season has given me a lot of optimism. They may have drawn three of their four games but they have been strong and they look a lot more defensively sound.”

He added: “Everton have shown me they can challenge for the top 6 and that’s the way it’s got to be for them, it’s about building towards that. It’s been a dreadful start for West Ham and getting their first point of the season would be a good result for Pellegrini, but I can’t see it.”

Everton’s unbeaten start to the season has seen them backed into 25/1 from 33/1 for a top four finish and they are now 40/1 from 28/1 to be relegated for only the third time in their history.

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