Moyes insists Everton ‘not out of it yet’ in race for Europe despite latest setback | OneFootball

(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

David Moyes has insisted that Everton are ‘not out’ of the race for European football despite more dropped points at Crystal Palace.

​The Toffees twice led at Selhurst Park but were unable to hold on for the points, in what has frustratingly been a recurring theme in recent weeks. The result extends the club’s winless Premier League run to five games and leaves Everton 10th in the table, four points adrift of the European places.

​An end-to-end game featured four goals and no shortage of incidents, with James Tarkowski opening the scoring early on, before some slack defending allowed Ismaila Sarr to level before the break.

​Beto’s super solo effort restored the lead, only for Jean-Philippe Mateta’s equaliser to dent dreams of a European place.

For most watching on, it was a case of déjà vu and a script that was painfully predictable. Shortcomings in both boxes again reared their ugly head, adding to a recent run that looks likely to leave the season’s review as a case of what might have been.

​Moyes’s post-match chat featured frustration and a bemoaning his side’s lack of killer instinct.

"We did okay. We gave up some chances — the game could have been 4-4 or 5-5 at one point. We are trying to win at the moment, but we missed some big chances to make it 2-0,” he reflected to Match of the Day.

“They did as well - but we had a chance to go 2-0, and we didn't take it. Maybe if we had got that after midweek, it might have been a different game. Credit to Crystal Palace, they stuck in."

Everton now need to win the remaining fixtures against Sunderland and Tottenham to have any chance of a place in Europe next season. Despite that, Moyes insists their ambitions are not over.

"It's amazing that we are actually talking about Everton possibly being in Europe with two games to go — and we're not out of it yet. It's getting tougher every game we're not winning.”

Reader Comments (57)

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Jimmy Salt 2 Posted 10/05/2026 at 18:20:55

Sod ioff Moyes it's the poorest league in years and it's there for the taking for those with the balls to want it.

Liam Mogan 4 Posted 10/05/2026 at 18:22:59

Jaded, Jaded Moyes, Jaded, Jaded Moyes!

Mark Ryan 5 Posted 10/05/2026 at 18:45:02

And so the Hammers of London Town were eventually relegated and the grey haired one did go and sign the Czech one who they called Soucek and to the Hill he took him and the boring one did take the Team of Toffees to 8th the following season we the Moyesuah thought was progress. Here endeth the lesson zzzzzzzzz

John Collins 6 Posted 10/05/2026 at 18:47:17

"It's amazing that we are actually talking about Everton possibly being in Europe"

Blagger

Liam Mogan 7 Posted 10/05/2026 at 18:48:19

Totes Amazeballs

Billy Shears 8 Posted 10/05/2026 at 18:54:25

Can you believe it... with this chancer YES!

Sack him...now. put Bainsey in charge for the last two games!!

0-0 at Burnley away is a sacking offence in itself!

Liam Mogan 9 Posted 10/05/2026 at 18:57:44

That was a good point at Burnley that, Billy. Not conceding away from home is the stability all clubs aspire to. You cant always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need. If its good enough for Jagger & Richards, who are we to complain?

Billy Shears 10 Posted 10/05/2026 at 19:02:55

Any Gaffer from... Bournemouth Brighton Palace Brentford & even Newcastle... would've got us higher in the league even with that fucking VAR system in place & given more minutes to the new players...& given us a really good go in both Cups too!

Time to get gone. Moyes!!!

Billy Shears 11 Posted 10/05/2026 at 19:05:47

Nice one,Liam 😂

Paul Hewitt 12 Posted 10/05/2026 at 19:14:39

Ireola is reported to be interested in the palace job. Surely we can out do palace for a very very good manager?

Jim Bennings 13 Posted 10/05/2026 at 19:22:52

Moyes has done a good job for 18 months, nobody can argue he has improved the whole demeanor that was in the absolute cesspit after Dyche's depressing final year here.

But you do wonder now this summer whether the opportunity can arise to try and go all out for Bournemouth's Iraola.

It will be a test for TFG to see if they really have ambition here to build a club that can seriously go places again and challenge for Cups, play in Europe or are they just content to sit there and make an easy excuse every year that we are taking baby steps, which for me, is an excuse because it does not take 3 years anymore, clubs build very quickly nowadays.

Only time will tell but we obviously need to vastly improve this entire squad.

Moyes has his own weaknesses which can't be overlooked however, the stupid rigidity of playing O'Brien right back when you have a young Scotland international sitting on the bench and has actually looked ok, no worse than O'Brien's performances anyway, when he has sporadically been given chances.

The Keane and Tarkowski partnership isn't working which is all the more reason why Jake O'Brien should have been in the middle the moment of Branthwaite's injury.

The refusal to give Aznou any serious game time when you have a very very limited and now exposed Mykolenko playing left back is also baffling.

The lack of game time for Tyrique George, a player who offers a rare commodity in our team, pace and directness.

The pointless signing and gross misuse of Tyler Dibling.

The bizarre bordering on insane hooking of Beto even when he's looking sharp and not tiring for Barry every week at the same time of the game, feels almost like a factory setting.

Neil Cremin 15 Posted 10/05/2026 at 19:29:40

Jim 13 I agree with most of your post but have seen no evidence that Aznou would be a better defender than Myko.

John Keating 16 Posted 10/05/2026 at 19:38:08

Unfortunately we have shot ourselves in the foot. We had a chance of European football, whether we had the team or squad is debatable, however the recent results against West Ham, the RS, City and Palace have done for us

Ian Horan 17 Posted 10/05/2026 at 19:52:29

Moyes is becoming delussional if he thinks we are getting into europe !! The only way is for are holidays

Tony Abrahams 18 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:00:11

John@6, I’d have thought the same thing years ago believing that a man who used such words to help describe the job he was doing, was nothing but a condescending c**t.

I like to think I have mellowed and also use a little bit more common sense nowadays, so my conclusion is that David, isn’t being patronising, but he actually believes he his doing an incredible job.

For the first time in years we started the season without any of the pressure, the club, has been under since the Covid season finished, and although I can understand people being happy that we have been nowhere near the relegation places this season, I still think that the way it has panned out, then if we don’t qualify for Europe, then I believe we have underachieved this season.

It’s not just down to the manager because he should have been backed in January, but I keep saying I don’t believe he likes having a big squad of players, and when I see certain players, who are not playing as well as they can, or others who are tiring, staying on the pitch, this is enough confirmation of this, for people like myself who don’t quite believe in this manager.

Jim Bennings 20 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:12:10

Neil at 15

In fairness, we are in 2026 now, fullbacks are scarcely good defenders, fullbacks in the modern era are basically wing backs.

The day of the good defensive fullbacks are probably around the time Moyes first arrived here way back in 2002, Tony Hibbert etc etc etc.

Aznou would I believe offer far more to our team than Mykolenko going forward, and likewise Patterson (even temporarily until the summer) than O'Brien (who absolutely should be centre half from this moment).

Ian Munford 21 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:16:46

Brendan, that sounds like some sense being talked there.

Neil Cremin 22 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:17:35

Jim As I said I agree with most of your post including Patterson but have seen nothing from Aznou that would make me select him over Myko.

Anthony Dwyer 23 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:20:10

19 Brendan. Agreed, some of our fans sound like the clowns at Arsenal, some short memories!

Jim Bennings 24 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:24:37

Fair enough Neil.

But that's my point, I've seen enough of Mykolenko to know he's not a modern day fullback.

Aznou is unexposed, untested, he may actually after 20 or 30 games become a really useful player, but Moyes reluctance to try something different is probably why we will finish 12th when a possible top 7 place a few weeks ago was there to be had.

As for Myko, to be honest, I'm not even sure he's all that great defensively anyway, gets caught ball watching an awful lot (West Ham's winner comes to mind?) and lately he rarely stops crosses coming in.

Jay Lewis 25 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:25:00

We looked really good until we scored that first goal. Is it a Moyes tactic to stop pressing and to sit back after gaining a lead? We should have carried on exactly the same but we started to sit back and deeper? Doesn't make sense

Mark Murphy 26 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:26:58

I’ve this minute got back from the game and haven’t caught up with comments. I’m not a Moyes fan but that wasn’t on him. We should’ve won that by a street if the players (and the tactics) had done the business. We lack real quality where it matters. I’m gutted with that draw.

Ian Pilkington 27 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:33:47

If our owners are serious about taking us forward as a football club rather than simply regarding their purchase as a stadium investment with a mid table PL team attached, then surely Moyes must not be allowed to continue for another season

Whilst the two second-rate European competitions are not particularly attractive, at least they would provide ample opportunity to play some of the youngsters that Moyes prefers to ignore.

Furthermore, for those on here who seem to be happy to avoid Europe next season on the grounds that we are not ready for it, surely even our current squad would be capable of beating Freiburg or Rayo Vallecano in the forthcoming Finals.

I am about to renew our season tickets with a heavy heart at the thought of another season of Moyes mediocrity.

Tony Abrahams 28 Posted 10/05/2026 at 20:40:10

Ancellotti left after the covid season, which was in 2021. We then had two seasons of absolute hell, 2022 and 2023, when we survived relegation by the skin of our teeth.

In 2024, after an indifferent start, our team began to slowly pick up and after a victory at West Ham, I remember Mark Pembridge, who was doing the commentary on the radio, saying that our players had been playing under enormous pressure for way too long but, he could see that pressure slowly beginning to lift.

Next thing we got hit with a huge points deduction and the pressure was back on. We survived with a few games to spare, but the pressure inside the club, was horrendous, and it had definitely began to affect the players and the manager, and this spilled over into the 2025 season.

Dyche, who hadn’t seemed happy from the beginning of the season, was definitely taking us backwards. We were doing okay defensively but it was beginning to look like he had completely forgotten that you can only win games by scoring at least even one goal.

Luckily for us fans, the club was finally taken over, but unluckily for Dyche, the previous two years had taken it’s toll and he believed that the best thing he could do was finally walk away from the madhouse.

Moyes, came in and guided us away from relegation very quickly, helped by having a team that was already very organised defensively, and things began looking up for us Evertonians, who had previously been worried about having the best ground in the championship.

It was great to be able to relax and say goodbye to Goodison, without having to worry about relegation, but in all seriousness, the reason that we were always fearing the worst, was because of how badly the club, had been getting run for years.

So although we were still under pressure because of this, relegation hadn’t really been a real genuine threat since 2023, (although the points deduction obviously brought us a lot of pressure) and by the start of this season, the club had finally got itself back on a proper footing, which meant (to me) that only the truly negative or downtrodden supporters, would have been having any serious thoughts about relegation, at the start of this season.

My own view is that our club, became stable, the minute the FRIEDKIN’S, took over, especially with a safe pair of hands like David Moyes, being the manager.

The problem now is that I personally want more and expect more, than a safe pair of hands, but like I often say, this is because I believe that Everton, are genuinely one of the greatest clubs in the country, and now we have got our new stadium, I believe it’s time we started trying to prove this to both ourselves and everyone else.

Mark Ryan 29 Posted 10/05/2026 at 21:23:56

Moyes post match presser says I've enjoyed talking about us potentially being in Europe but good sides need to get wins and we haven't done that. Its better than talking about relegation but maybe can muster something or maybe not. What a load of drivel. I can't actually look forward to a pre-season unless he's moved on

Liam Mogan 30 Posted 10/05/2026 at 21:25:53

He does talk some self-serving nonsense does Jaded Moyes

Derek Thomas 31 Posted 10/05/2026 at 23:06:52

Give over Moyesey, you don't half talk some shite - you'll be trying to kid us next that you actually believe all that bollocks you spout.

Just fuck off. We were only just in it before Brentford and after the Derby we were more or less out of it.

As soon as Moyes, The Media...the guy that cleans your windows or anybody! mutters The Phrase - Win these nextx games and we're in for... That's it for the season, its over, finito, sayonara, arrivederci, adios Amigos, Hiyo Silver, We're all going on a summer holiday, now where did I put me flip flops. etc.

Jeeves; We are Never! at home when Mr Must Win calls.

Sean Kearns 32 Posted 10/05/2026 at 23:47:40

3-4 late goals conceded lately isn’t a coincidence towards the end of a grueling season. We have an ageing central defensive pair and they are switching off/getting tired later in games. With the amount of time that is added on now, coupled with how fine the margins are in premier league football, defending is a younger man’s game. Or at the most a defender in his prime… but we have a pair who are over the hill and it’s showing later in games towards the business end of the season. We love Tarky and he’s been gear but we need change. Jake and Jarrad are the future, John Stones would be welcome too.

Mick O\\\'Malley 33 Posted 11/05/2026 at 04:06:06

I don't love Tarkowski, I've always thought he was a fucking yard dog bottom-of-the-league defender.

I honestly can't wait till he is gone.

Annika Herbert 34 Posted 11/05/2026 at 05:50:33

Anthony @ 23, maybe some of our fans have long memories too?

Alan J Thompson 35 Posted 11/05/2026 at 06:53:01

"Amazing Everton are talking about Europe, we are not out of it yet", and neither are half the Premier League and what is it something like 5 have already qualified for some sort of European competition out of a possible 8 or maybe more.

Like his hero SAF he is not, SAF also won things at Aberdeen but if he is to become SDM (Some Day Maybe?) he'll need to win a lot more in the next 7 years than he has in the last quarter of a century is it.

Who would replace him? Well, Carrick maybe one, Iraola, Glasner, Alonso and how many more are being mentioned by at least 3 clubs from either end of the East Lancs Road. Would they come? £5M per annum says they would think about it.

Andrew Ellams 36 Posted 11/05/2026 at 07:11:48

Sean @32,

Palace have played an extra 20 games compared to our team and they were definitely the strongest finishers yesterday with 9 of the team that started their European game on Thursday.

Tony Abrahams 37 Posted 11/05/2026 at 07:24:40

Palace have been struggling all season though Andrew, while we have been challenging for Europe.

Andrew Clare 38 Posted 11/05/2026 at 07:34:11

If we have any ambition now is the time to show it. If we want ‘make do’ then stick with Moyes. I just our owners want more than just average. There are some good managers becoming available- make them an offer they can’t refuse.

Jim Bennings 39 Posted 11/05/2026 at 08:07:00

At the end of the day some of our support us so scarred and petrified of relegation that we have almost created a fan base now that will forever be content with an Everton that will finish midtable and never challenge for a trophy again let alone win something dare we.

The bar was set so low by Sean Dyche that anything that came after him was going to be viewed as improvement.

Paul Griffiths 41 Posted 11/05/2026 at 08:17:54

I assume that Moyes might have been talking to Saint Daniel the Absent and Saint Angus the Silent, but he is Mount Everest deluded, dotty, and deranged.

He probably should go this summer, but I will not be distraught if he doesn't. I just want a gaffer who looks good in black with a dead narrow waist with trendy drainpipes that dangle over smart casual shoes - no socks - and a cool dick length black mac when it rains and a Scott Parker haircut, but not him.

Stu Darlington 42 Posted 11/05/2026 at 09:18:46

Tony@28 Be very careful Tony.You are close to saying something sensible and accurate with this post. Not really the kind of reality check some regular TW contributors want to hear! Please don’t confuse them with the facts!

Jack Convery 43 Posted 11/05/2026 at 09:20:25

Go and have a look at Celtics 3rd goal yesterday. You won't be disappointed.

Dave Lynch 44 Posted 11/05/2026 at 09:43:34

Ive fallen into the mindset that I had during Moyes first tenure..."total apathy".

He just does not inspire me in any way, I can't get excited about our football and cant be arsed attending the game half the time, I go out of habit for most part.

For every Chelsea victory he counters with a Brentford at home or a mind numbing draw against opposition that are their for the taking.

God help us if he's given a big transfer kitty, he'll set us back years.

Ian Munford 45 Posted 11/05/2026 at 10:34:19

Dave @44 let’s hope it's the 80’s then, I’ve just realised why I stopped reading Toffee Web, so bloody negative.

Dave Lynch 47 Posted 11/05/2026 at 10:47:43

Ian...we've had god knows how many years under Moyes for a grand total of fuck all trophies, let downs when on the cusp of achieving something and "blooy negative" soundbites and tactics.

What should I do? Praise the Lord and thank him for small mercies.

His whole career record other than a minor European trophy has been built around mediocrity.

Brian Foley 48 Posted 11/05/2026 at 11:22:35

And in the end, the love you take sorry. Love Liam @9 and Billy @10 (not on the pitch though) great Stones ref and song Liam. Billy, now who sang your name out loud. Anyway I'm now in agreement with the Davey boy out thinking, considering those 3 B's Palace and barcodes managers, you are quite right. Move Moysey upstairs please, immediately.

Dave Abrahams 49 Posted 11/05/2026 at 11:51:10

Brian (48) Why move him upstairs?

Peter Gorman 51 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:16:44

Everton are effectively 'out of it' in the race for Europe.

I'm not going to show massive ingratitude to Moyes who has turned us into a competitive team in spite of the Friedkin-induced stability that Dyche lacked (he is simply a better manager than his predecessor) but yes, we all know the ceiling that we are heading towards and I wouldn't say no tonight to someone who has a chance of breaking through it.

Under the new ownership, I don't think we should be fearing the risk of perennial relegation struggles with any manager in charge.

Ian Horan 52 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:18:26

Moyes doesnt need moving up stairs he needs moving on, its ran its course this KITAP1 routine. Modern multiple plans of attack or defense are required for 21st Century football. Look at the cost to everyday supporters we are paying entertainment show prices to watch a low block endurance approach. Apart from us no teams tire anymore as they are all finely tuned atheletes, pinching 1 is less likely nowdays. No remenants of the KITAP1 mentality should be anywhere near Everton now. We finally have 21st Century approach to Commercial entities around the club so lets grasp 21st Century sporting and entertainment ethos!!! Live up to the motto on the club crest

Lester Yip 53 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:19:25

What's the point of getting into Europe if the club can't even field a proper right back and left back without any cover? Seriously with more games this group of players will have more injuries and leggy and we'll be close to relegation fight again. Get us the core first 11 first TFG.

Andrew Clare 54 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:21:09

If a company wants success they hire the best people not average people. We re-hired an average manager so what do we get- average performances.

Steve Brown 55 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:22:27

Dave @ 49, I believe there s a spare cupboard on Level 3 in the West Stand.

John Collins 56 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:33:34

Move him upstairs as the entertainment manager in the lounges. A sparkling personality, he's a natural for the job

Steve Brown 57 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:35:22

2023/2024 - 48 points 2024/2025 - 48 points 2025/2026 - 49 points.

Remarkable progress - and it has only cost us £115 millon to earn that extra point.

As Tony says, we have not been in a relegation battle since 2023. Sean Dyche was in charge for 50% of the last 3 seasons that have seen us free from relegation fears.

John Collins 58 Posted 11/05/2026 at 12:46:06

A confidence trick being played amongst the Moyes backers here. One point more than Dyche, a man that many on here call the worse Everton manager in a generation. Hes had you off.

Andrew Clare 60 Posted 11/05/2026 at 13:39:18

Those figures are a real eye opener Steve. They show no change. Maybe our owners need to have this pointed out to them?

John Collins 61 Posted 11/05/2026 at 13:40:27

Maybe they're happy with it Andrew.

Ian Horan 62 Posted 11/05/2026 at 14:11:13

Of the £115 mill £50 mill Dibling and Azou have not been given a chance). The Juries still out on Barry for me. If Moyes had influenced last summers transfers why didnt he insist on new fullbacks instead of the £50mill bench monitors getting splinters in their arses. TFG also need to question him why Seamus and Pato werent rotated allowing Obrien getting CB game time. I wouldnt wont Moyes spending future transfer funds on bench monitors