But the Everton boss, whose side take on Newcastle tomorrow, insists his predecessor Sam Allardyce would also have got it right, given time.

Everton need one point from the clash t Goodison Park to clinch fifth place and a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

But Keegan arrives on Merseyside, where he is still a Liverpool legend, claiming Everton are the model for clubs aspiring to a top-four finish.

"It is nice to hear people like Kevin saying nice things about us," Moyes said. "But I do not agree with him that the league is boring.

"It's an exciting league, because on the last day there are teams still fighting for the title and others still fighting to avoid relegation, while others are battling to get into Europe.

"That is why players want to come and play in England, and it is why fans want to watch the games."

Keegan has run into trouble with his bosses for claiming the league is boring and Newcastle cannot break into the top four.

Moyes added: "I understand what he says, but he is trying to dampen down expectation.

"Kevin has brought his enthusiasm to Newcastle, people look at that and thrive on him. He brings belief.

"He has had good Newcastle teams before, he knows the club and I can see Kevin getting a good run of results at the beginning of next season.

"Newcastle are a big club, they have spent big to be in the position we are in.

"They have good players, and if they'd given Sam Allardyce the time he would have got the job done for them.

"But they have moved on, and Kevin has got the results after a difficult time for him at the beginning of his spell."

Moyes is now only concentrating on the one point Everton need to return to Europe.

He said: "I have loved competing in Europe, I needed it for my development, the players needed it but more importantly, Everton needed it most of all.

"I will never accept that we cannot break into the top four, and it was terrific that we qualified for the Champions League three years ago.

"That is why I have said that if we could have done it again, we may have changed Everton for ever.

"We could have moved the goalposts about what is seen as the top four. We pulled up short at the end, and I must discover why.

"I won't say that we can do it next season. We must finish fifth first, but I will always be striving to achieve the top four, because anything else would be defeatist and I am not like that.

"There has to be realism about it, it is difficult because our spending power is miles away from the top four."