Ronald Koeman stated that he wanted Everton to challenge for the top four at the weekend.
Duncan Ferguson has told Sky Sports that Everton are still pushing for the top four this season.
Everton have been in excellent form over recent weeks, and they have began to close the gap to the top six.
The Toffees are still lodged in seventh spot, as things stand, but they are within touching distance of those above them now.
And Ferguson insists that Everton should not just have their eyes set on claiming a European spot, as the Champions League qualification spaces are not entirely out of reach yet.
“We’ve found a winning mentality, ground out results,” the Toffees legend said. “We haven’t been playing brilliant but we’ve been getting good results. I hoping that will continue.
“We’re not ruling out Europe this year. We’re not far away from the top four. If we keep on getting good results we can push for the top four. That’s what we’re looking for and we can push on for next season.”
Everton are currently six points away from fourth placed Arsenal, but the teams above them have not looked entirely unflappable this season.
Liverpool and Arsenal are both in poor form, while Manchester United and Manchester City do not appear to have found top gear just yet.
Ferguson’s comments echo what Ronald Koeman said about Everton’s top four chances last weekend, when he was asked if Champions League qualification was still the aim for this season.
“Yeah, [we want] the highest position but I like to play for something,” Koeman said to Sky Sports, following Everton’s win over Sunderland.
“Above us is still a gap but it is never ending, when it is five or six points it is still possible to reach them.”
Everton are next in action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and if the Merseyside club are able to win that match, it would really put the top four positions in sight.
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