April 14 2005

Crystal Palace

Many people have questioned Everton's lofty position in the Premiership, writes Neil McSteen.

After Sunday's drubbing by the Toffeemen, Palace fans won't be anymore.

On paper, David Moyes' side aren’t anything special. They don’t have the superstars of the big three or the England internationals that the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham can boast.

The starting 11 that took the field against Palace cost less than £8m to assemble, a rag bag collection of lower league buys, loan players and ageing pros somewhat mirroring Iain Dowie’s squad.

Like many Palace fans I thought a point against this lot would have been the least we could have expected, considering West Brom took three points off them a week earlier.

But did we really have any right to expect anything from this game? Were we deluding ourselves that we could nick a point from a team chasing Champions League football?

Ultimately Everton had just that little bit more quality on the pitch, matched by money off it.

Moyes was backed to bag the talented Tim Cahill for £2m, and then six months later was allowed to break his club’s record transfer fee when bringing in James Beattie for £6m. Therein lies the difference.

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