Moyes rules out Toffees departure

DAVID MOYES has reiterated he has no plans to quit as Everton manager as the Scot bids to secure a place in the last 32 of the Europa league with victory over AEK Athens.

The Toffees face their Greek opponents at the Olympic Stadium tonight in their penultimate Group I encounter knowing a win would see them qualify should BATE Borisov fail to beat leaders Benfica.

Moyes, who has already rubbished media reports suggesting he may quit, re-affirmed his commitment to the Merseyside club yesterday.

“I’ve said all along that this is a great job, I really enjoy it and I intend to see it through until the very end,” Moyes commented, responding after Everton owner Bill Kenwright re-affirmed his support for the manager.

“The chairman has his role at the club and he is entitled to say anything whenever he wants.”

Everton come into the game on the back of a grim pair of outings against Benfica.

A 5-0 loss to the Portuguese side on Matchday Three was their heaviest away defeat in Europe while a 2-0 loss on November 5 was their biggest UEFA club competition home reverse.

Their domestic form has also been less than impressive, with Sunday’s 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Goodison Park in the Merseyside derby leaving the club lingering in 16th place with 15 points.

Moyes insists his players can turn their season round, but is not expecting a repeat of his team’s 4-0 win over AEK.

“I never think any win is easy; I think you always have to work hard for it,” said Moyes.

“AEK have showed good home form in Europe, particularly against Benfica when they won 1-0, so that shows that it will be a different game.”