David Moyes
Everton’s aspirations for a top-eight finish in the Premier League suffered a setback as they were held to a draw against Crystal Palace. Despite taking the lead twice through James Tarkowski and Beto, Everton could not secure the win, with goals from Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta ensuring a frustrating afternoon for the Toffees. The result leaves Everton in 10th place, two points behind eighth-placed Brentford, with only two games remaining in the season and several clubs vying for a spot in the Europa Conference League.
David Moyes said: “I’ve got to the stage now where I’m saying: ‘Isn’t it great that, imagine talking about ever being in Europe after the years we’ve had recently’. This time last year I think most of the questions were that we were going to lose 12 players and were about to leave Goodison and moving to a new stadium – how do you think this is going to be? In truth, we’ve not had the word relegation too close to us most of the year. I see that it’s been certainly a step up. And I’ve enjoyed talking about Europe, because it’s making the supporters dream again and me hopeful that maybe it can happen again. It has not gone yet, but it’s certainly drifting a wee bit away from us at the moment.”
David Moyes continued: “I’m using the word disappointing again – that we couldn’t hang on. Certainly, when we went 2-1 up, I felt as if we probably had a chance to get another goal. But hey, I thought the game in general could have been 3-3, 4-4. I thought both teams had several opportunities. But our key finishers for all the season have been the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye. They have slightly gone off the boil as far as their finishing goes. Thankfully, Beto and [Thierno] Barry have stepped up in recent games, but I thought today we needed their craft just to get us [a win]. Ili’s chance to make it 3-2, Kiernan got through, he could have put us 2-0 in front, but he didn’t quite, and that might have just started taking the steam out of Palace because I thought in the main Palace played well.”
The match was a tale of missed opportunities for Everton, who had numerous chances to put the game beyond Palace’s reach. Moyes expressed his frustration at the team’s inability to capitalize on their lead, marking the fourth consecutive game where they dropped points from a winning position. The manager highlighted the recent dip in form of key finishers Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye, which has been a concern for the Toffees. Despite the setback, Moyes remains optimistic about the club’s progress and the possibility of European football, which has reignited hope among supporters.
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