Everton manager David Moyes believes Liverpool will be difficult to dislodge from the fourth Champions League spot after Fulham inflicted a first Premier League defeat on his side since December.

A goal from Brian McBride, a player Moyes once took on loan for three months at Goodison Park, settled a hard-fought contest at Craven Cottage.

Although Moyes has not given up on fourth place, Everton are now three points behind their Merseyside rivals.

"Liverpool were always favourites, I've said that many times," declared Moyes.

"We are just going to try and win as many games as we can and keep going. We've been on a great run but this was not one of our better performances.

"The players have been terrific but we dropped below the high standards we have set. I am disappointed with the game.

"The players have been excellent and this is our first defeat in I don't know how many league games but we've not got a great record at Fulham."

Everton's chances were hampered even further by an early groin injury to striker Andrew Johnson and Moyes says the lack of attacking options is becoming something of a concern.

The Everton manager was already without Tim Cahill, James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe through injury and Johnson's enforced substitution did not help their cause.

"It is a concern at the moment," admitted Moyes. "Andy has a groin strain but I looked at my bench and I didn't have a lot of options.

"I didn't think it was a game of many chances and they shaded the half chances more than us. We should have done much better and stopped their goal.

"I don't like anybody scoring against but Brian is a great player, great professional and he deserves everything he gets."

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was delighted with the victory which boosted their hopes of escaping relegation from the Premier League.

Now Hodgson wants them to reproduce the winning mentality in their remaining eight games.

"We knew we had to get the victory," said Hodgson. "When you are fighting for your life at the bottom, the motivation is always going to be that little bit stronger than when you are trying for fourth place and the Champions League.

"I thought it was a good performance by the team in every respect and the goal that won the game was a worthy winner.

"Brian is an experienced player. He is 36 and a talismanic figure at the club. It was just that little bit of quality that was needed because both teams were defending and fighting hard.

"We have got eight extremely important matches and if we want to stay up we have got to reproduce this performance eight more times.

"We've only got three more home games. I don't need reminding we have not won away from home but if we are going to get the necessary number of victories we need, a couple are going to have to be away from home."

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