Everton manager David Moyes believes Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson remains the benchmark by which everyone should be judged - and why the top four has become more difficult to break into.
The Red Devils boss celebrated winning his 13th Premier League title after beating Aston Villa on Monday and despite being 71 shows no signs of slowing up.
Moyes feels his fellow Scot's hunger for trophies has raised the standard in the top flight - and made Everton's job of securing Champions League football even more difficult.
"It is an inspiration he keeps going, he doesn't show any signs of his health causing any problems," said the Everton boss.
"People in this world are fitter and more healthy and Sir Alex certainly is so we all have to follow his lead and try to keep him up with him.
The influx of money into clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea - trying to break United's dominance - has also undoubtedly made Moyes' job of finishing in the top four more difficult.
But the Scot is trying to keep everything in perspective and while their Champions League dreams were effectively ended by defeat at Sunderland last weekend as they are only six points adrift off fourth-placed Chelsea, who have a match in hand.
However, they are eight points better off than at this stage last season and already have the same tally with which they finished that campaign.
"I don't know what it tells you about the Premier League but it tells me I have four games to get some more points," said Moyes, whose side face Fulham at Goodison Park - a ground at which the Cottagers have lost 12 and drawn one of their previous 13 visits.
"I am guessing it will be somewhere between 68 and 70 points to qualify this year so the bar has been raised all around.
"There are a lot of Evertonians wonder why Everton are not making the Champions League and Europa League - hopefully that is there to see."
Jagielka missed last weekend's defeat at Sunderland after aggravating an ankle problem while Gibson was substituted at half-time, although Moyes said his injury was not related to his long-term thigh problem.
The AC Milan player has slowly produced some consistent displays for the Cottagers following his January transfer, to force his way into Martin Jol's starting XI.
With Fulham now safe from relegation ahead of the trip to Goodison, Dutchman Emanuelson, 26, hopes to continue to enjoy a run in the team before a decision is made on his long-term future.
"I am enjoying it here. London is a nice city and Fulham is a great football club - it is very warm, everybody is positive, everyone has helped me a lot," Emanuelson said on the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com.
"Now I am finding my way, I am starting the matches so I am happy here and hopefully I can go on in the last four games of the season.
"It is good to play here and it is a nice team. Also, the stadium and the fans are fantastic, so I just want to show them my quality."
Steve Sidwell begins the first of a four-match ban following his red card against Arsenal last weekend, while fellow midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong will be available having missed out against his parent club.
Defender Sascha Riether (ankle) is doubtful. Midfielders Mahamadou Diarra (knee), Ashkan Dejagah (ankle) and Simon Davies (hip) are sidelined.
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