Skipper Phil Neville believes Everton deserve praise for achieving success this season despite not spending the vast sums of their rivals.

The Toffees secured UEFA Cup football next season with an impressive fifth-placed finish and Neville feels David Moyes' men have made significant strides.

He said: "There has been loads of positives and the important thing is that we have improved on last term by finishing fifth.

"There is obviously still a gap between us and the top four, but we are looking to bridge that gap.

"Other teams have spent more money than us and other teams have said that they will be doing this and that, but it is us who have done it and it is a fantastic achievement."