David Moyes believes his Everton players are hungry for European football and this is spearheading their impressive run.
Everton chalked up their second successive victory in the Uefa Cup group stages with a late goal blitz to beat Nurnberg 2-0.
The Merseyside club has made rare European appearances since the glory days under the leadership of Howard Kendall in the 1980s.
Moyes admits the club are ‘riding on the crest of a wave’ as one more victory will secure a place in the knock-out phase.
“I can sense their hunger, some have said they are sick of watching their teams in Europe on TV,” Commented Moyes.
“I stood on the line before the game in Germany, watching the lads warming up, and Leighton Baines was next to me and said ‘this is what we all want, we want this regularly, all the time’.
“Until you have been there you do not know what you have been missing. That is why I so want it to be the Champions League soon, that’s the next aim.
“Domestically we have got ourselves up to pace at the top of The Premier League, now we need to pick up on Europe,” added the Everton boss.
Moyes can put his league observations to the test on Sunday with the visit to third-placed Chelsea.
“We are confident, but then so must Chelsea be. They are virtually home and dry in their Champions League group, they have a fantastic home record and a new manager who seems to have got them playing as well as ever.
“Of course some of our lads will feel tired after the short turnaround, but it is not a massive hardship to run around for 90 minutes.
“What does take its toll is the mental strain of preparation and everything that goes with it.”
Moyes could start with Victor Anichebe on Sunday, after the teenager came off the bench in Nurnberg to win a penalty which Mikel Arteta converted.
The Nigerian was quick to point to another hero though on Thursday night, singling out Ayegbeni Yakubu for his endless toil as a lone striker.
“Yak was excellent. It’s tough playing up front on your own and the pitch was absolutely enormous. He covered so much ground to wear the defenders down.”
