Distin hails threadbare Toffees’ squad as top four finish looms

Everton 2 QPR 0

A comfortable win at Goodison Park put another nail in the coffin of second-bottom QPR but lifted David Moyes’ side within three points of Champions League qualification.

They have not been in the top four since just before Christmas and the dream of joining Europe’s elite appeared to have faded with the onset of 2013. However, 13 points from the last five league matches — their best run since winning five in-a-row in November 2002 — has shot them back into genuine contention.