Moyes targets European return as Everton rise to fifth despite squad concerns
David Moyes wants to take Everton back into European competition after guiding the Blues into fifth place in the Premier League, but admits his squad may be short of the resources needed to sustain a challenge.
Everton’s 3-1 comeback victory over Coventry City on Friday made it three successive wins in all competitions, while a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals has given supporters another reason for optimism. Moyes, however, is determined to turn that promising start into something more substantial.
Moyes wants Everton challenging again
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Coventry match, Moyes outlined his ambitions for the club.
“I would love to get us back into Europe,” he said.
He also acknowledged the challenge of competing with clubs who have greater resources.
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“How can I get us to be challenging, even though we’re probably a little bit under-resourced?”
It is a question Moyes will have to address as the season progresses. Everton have climbed the table despite having relatively few established options in certain positions, leaving little margin for injuries or suspensions. Nevertheless, the manager believes his players deserve credit for the position they have reached.
“I think the players have done a great job in getting ourselves into this position,” he said.
Cup run offers another opportunity
Everton’s progress in the Carabao Cup has also raised hopes of ending the club’s long wait for silverware.
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“Every Evertonian wants a cup run because we have been so long since we have been near lifting any trophies,” Moyes said.
The Blues face Fleetwood Town in December’s quarter-final after knocking out Newcastle United, and Moyes has promised to treat the tie with the same respect as previous rounds. Friday’s victory over Coventry demonstrated both Everton’s resilience and their attacking threat, with Thierno Barry scoring twice before setting up Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Moyes will now hope the international break allows his players to recover before a demanding run of fixtures, beginning with the trip to Brentford on 23 November. A European return remains an ambition rather than an expectation, but Everton have given themselves a platform from which to challenge.
Read our Everton 3-1 Coventry match report and our coverage of Moyes equalling Harry Catterick’s managerial record.
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Gary Gowers is a sports journalist and the editor of Read Everton, where he leads daily coverage of Everton news, transfers and analysis. He also writes about Manchester City for Read Man City and motorsport for Read Motorsport. A former accountant, he became a freelance writer in 2011 and has written for BBC Sport and Metro.
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