Moyes defends Everton’s top-flight record

Manager David Moyes believes Everton have more than proved their Barclays Premier League credentials but stopped short of putting Newcastle counterpart Alan Pardew in his place.

On the final day of last season the high-flying Magpies arrived at Goodison Park with Pardew claiming his side were operating in a different league to the Toffees, who were on a great run of form themselves.

They departed having been on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline but, with the two teams set to meet again on Merseyside tonight, Moyes was not interested in dredging up old arguments.