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Ronald Koeman: 'Everton still fighting for fifth place'

Koeman: 'Everton still fighting for fifth'
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Ronald Koeman insists that Everton are "fighting for European football" heading into the final stretch of the season, as they sit three points off the top five.

Ronald Koeman has reiterated that Everton will not give up their fight of pulling off the "fantastic" achievement of finishing fifth in the Premier League.

The Toffees have been in impressive form since the turn of the year, winning seven and drawing three of their 12 top-flight matches in 2017 to make up ground on the division's heavyweight sides.

Everton have taken just one point from the last six on offer, however, losing to Liverpool in last weekend's Merseyside derby and being pegged back late on by Manchester United in their last outing.

That draw at Old Trafford leaves Koeman's men seventh in the table, three points adrift of United and Arsenal directly above them after playing two games more than both sides.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday's meeting with Leicester City, the Dutchman told reporters: "I expect if we get six points out of the last two home games then we will fight for fifth place.

"We are fighting for European football. If you finish seventh it's a really successful season. If you get more out of it then it's fantastic.

"Bouncing back is our job. I understand the feelings about playing against Liverpool, but it doesn't change the situation. The injuries - we had seven boys in the squad 22 and younger."

Everton are going in search of a club-record equalling seventh successive win at Goodison Park in the Premier League this weekend, last achieved in April 2014.

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Ronald Koeman is all smiles during the Premier League game between Everton and Liverpool on December 19, 2016
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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