The full-time whistle on Sunday may well have brought an end to Everton’s hopes of European qualification, with more points dropped against Crystal Palace.
Since the international break, David Moyes has not been able to guide his side to a victory in the Premier League, which has halted their ambition to be playing European football next season.
Oliver Glasner issued a damning verdict on Everton’s performance, with the Toffees looking like the team that had just exerted all their strength on Thursday evening, not his Palace side.
Everton could end the season with an improved finish in the league table from last year’s efforts, but there is an overwhelming feeling on Merseyside that they have blown a huge opportunity in qualifying for Europe.
No win in any of Everton’s last five games… what would you say to David Moyes? 🫣
With frustrations still high following Sunday’s draw, something Moyes said after the game has stuck and highlights the change required at Everton.
David Moyes verdict highlights mentality change needed at Everton
At the start of the season, Moyes targeted an ambitious European finish, which the Blues have found themselves within touching distance of throughout the campaign.
The days of fearing for Premier League survival look to have been put behind Everton, but the Blues now look stuck in a middle ground of not possessing the mentality to challenge the likes of Bournemouth.
“Ultimately, coming here [Selhurst Park] and getting a draw is not the worst result,” said Moyes after the game.
Two games to go… where do you see Everton actually finishing in the table? 😫
Europe now feels incredibly unlikely… 👋
Although a defeat obviously would have been worse, Everton needed all three points on Sunday to cement their spot in the race for European football.
The two points dropped would have put the Toffees level with Brentford on 51 points and having it all to play for in the final two games.
Let one thing be clear: Everton have played considerably fewer games than Crystal Palace this season and had a lot more time to prepare for Sunday’s game in south London.
Everton had no excuses not to return to Merseyside without anything other than three points
Moyes has done a lot of good work since he returned to the club last January, with Everton looking like a much more stable club.
However, it is very hard to swallow Sunday’s result when the manager’s comments are not conveying the ruthless mentality this side has needed in recent weeks.
Everton are failing to put the opposition to the sword
Having taken the lead twice at Selhurst Park, Everton failed to build on their goals and allowed Crystal Palace to break back into the game on both occasions.
Beto urged his teammates to remain focused as he walked off the pitch to be replaced by Thierno Barry.
The reality is Everton have failed to show themselves as winners and the acceptance of a point against a jaded Palace side is very hard to take.
Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur both await in the remaining two games, but who knows what version of Everton will be on display.
If the players are going into both games knowing Moyes would be pleased with a draw again then it could make for a frustrating end to a campaign that could have returned so much more.
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