David Moyes heads for a showdown with deposed champions Arsenal taunting clubs who were chasing them in fourth spot that they never got close to winning the race.

Everton, confirmed in fourth place and with a Champions League qualifying tie now their prize, never lost their grip on fourth spot from the moment they claimed it in December and were never out of the top four places from September 19.

Moyes has every right to be pleased with the way they withstood that pressure, mainly from neighbours Liverpool.

Moyes, who has doubts over top scorer Tim Cahill (back injury) and defender Tony Hibbert (knee problem), said: "There were a few times that I felt it would not be possible to stay in the Champions League places because we lost a few games when I felt we should have done better.

"But other teams lost games and that always kept the gap. Nobody every went above us, not at any time from when we went into fourth. Not one club, ever.

"It was maybe down to a point, but nobody ever really got close. That gave us hope, we were always clinging on saying 'can we hang on for one more week'. In the end the weeks have run out for the other clubs."

Liverpool constantly claimed they were the better team and had several chances to take advantage of Everton slips, but always blew them.

Moyes said: "I said a few weeks ago that we had to go stride for stride with the other clubs, and that is what we did. It was terrific form in terms of being consistent, but then there wasn't another club able to be consistent.

"We didn't have to do any more. And if we win our two remaining games we might end up being seven, eight, nine or even 10 points ahead of fifth place. That would make it look easy when in reality it was not."

Moyes is already planning for next season, and is believed to have £30million to work with, but contracts for new and current players will also have to be funded from that kitty.

Everton will take up the £2.6million option they have to sign midfielder Mikel Arteta permanently from Real Sociedad, and have the likes of Scott Parker, Simon Davies and Robbie Keane on their hit list.