Everton yardstick pleases Jol

Martin Jol is happy for his Fulham side to be compared to Everton ahead of this weekend's clash with the Merseysiders.

Fulham have continued to improve under Jol and currently lie ninth in the Premier League table, two points behind Everton, after Saturday's late 2-1 victory against in-form Wigan. The Cottagers are unbeaten since losing three straight league games in March, but that record faces a tough test from David Moyes' men this weekend following their comeback to claim a point at Old Trafford. Jol said: "Everyone tells me, week in week out, that Everton are a fantastic side so if that is true then we are pretty good as well because we are just two points behind them." The Fulham boss has challenged his side to push on and overhaul the sides above them - starting with Everton. "I want to be a mid-table side, or even a bit better, from the start until the end of the season because if you struggle to be in mid-table until the last game of the season, then that is not what you want. "We were probably safe [from relegation] six weeks ago so that is good, especially if you recognise the fact that we changed our formation and brought in five or six new players. "So I am very pleased that we are on almost similar points that we were on at the same stage last year."