Leading Everton to FA Cup glory would put David Moyes ‘right up there’ with Howard Kendall as a Goodison great

AN FA CUP Wembley triumph would put David Moyes “right up there” with Everton’s greatest managers, says Tony Cottee. The Scot returned to Goodison Park last month, 12 years after leaving to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. He is already making his mark and takes the Toffees into potentially Goodison’s last-ever cup encounter in fine form. Moyes, who lost the 2009 final to Chelsea during his first Everton stint, is looking for a fourth-straight win when they take on Bournemouth at Goodipn in the fourth round on Saturday.

Speaking exclusively to BetSelect on behalf of The Sun, Cottee, who lost the 1989 FA Cup final to Liverpool with Everton, said: “One thing that you can say about David Moyes is that he gets it, he understands it. “As an Evertonian, he will know that the club hasn't won anything for 30 years. “If you can win something and be that first person for 30, 31 years, whatever it might be, you're then right up there with Howard Kendall and Harry Catterick and all the top managers that have won things at the club.".

Cottee, a huge West Ham icon who watched Moyes deliver the Europa Conference League trophy to the Hammers two years ago, continued: “Yeah, I think it will put him right up there. “He did a similar thing at West Ham. If you can win trophies, that's what the fans want. “You just have to take the moments and enjoy them. As has been proven as an Evertonian, there would have been a lot of fans that were there in 1995 when they won the FA Cup.

SunSport exclusives. Already have these accounts? Don't worry, we've got loads more terrific deals below!. Check out the latest free bets to use on football, horse racing, and lots more. “Sometimes you can go 30 years without winning their trophy. But if Moyes can win the cup for the fans, it’ll be amazing. “I think he's already considered an Everton legend with what he did first time around. The second time around, not as easy. Howard Kendall found that out as well.

“But I think FA Cup glory would be fantastic for the fans.”. Despite the prospect of relegation in their final season at Goodison being a very real prospect a month ago, Moyes has managed to steer them nine points clear of the drop zone. Cottee believes he has a strong enough squad to continue that fight for survival and enjoy an FA Cup run. And he called on the Everton players to go out and give the fans and Goodison a fitting cup send-off.

Cottee added: “There have been so many great FA Cup games over the years. There's so much history in Goodison Park. “I think it's really important that they go out as if it is going to be this is the last FA Cup game, and try and win it for the fans. “Once you get to the fifth round or the sixth round, you really start thinking that it could be your year. “They got to the final with Moyes in 2009 but that’s 16 years ago now. Everton's cup performances haven't been good.