David Moyes.placeholder image
David Moyes. | AFP via Getty Images
Everton may have lost to Bournemouth but they are still well in the hunt to qualify for Europe next season.
Everton are the same number of points away from fourth place as they are from 16th in what is one of the Premier League’s most competitive seasons.
David Moyes has had to battle injuries to key players, losing two starters to the African Cup of Nations, suspensions and having the smallest squad in the league but has still managed to steer the Toffees into eight place and well in contention to achieve European football next season. This wouldn’t just give fans a lift, it would also allow for a bigger transfer budget in the summer too.
Everton push for European place
English clubs are doing well in Europe so far this season and there is still a possibility that each of the three UEFA tournaments could be won by teams from the Premier League. As well as the coefficient points, this could see almost half of the league gain access to Europe, one way or another.
Despite the defeat, Moyes is happy with how Everton are progressing as he looks forward to a two-week break and a chance to regroup: "I've not got much to say, really. I'm disappointed,” Moyes said via Everton’s website.
"It's a game we could have won, possibly. It looked as if we might have done. It was a bit scrappy at times, but I'm just disappointed that we gave away two really poor goals. We also missed two or three [chances] ourselves, so we've only ourselves to blame.
"I think just after half-time... we started the second half well but it's only talk if you don't score – and we're not scoring enough. The players have done a great job here.The results and performances they've got themselves in the league have been really good, so no complaints [over the spirit] at all."
Next five Premier League games for Everton’s European rivals
The following are the next five Premier League fixtures for the clubs who are within a good run of results away from sixth place starting from 14 February 2026. Everton have their sights set on city rivals Liverpool which would be an incredible achievement given the disparity in budgets.
Bournemouth
West Ham (A) – Sat 21 Feb
Sunderland (H) – Sat 28 Feb
Leeds United (A) – Tue 3 Mar
Brentford (H) – Sat 14 Mar
Everton (A) – Sat 21 Mar
Brentford
Brighton (H) – Sat 21 Feb
Burnley (A) – Sat 28 Feb
Bournemouth (H) – Wed 4 Mar
Wolves (H) – Sat 14 Mar
Leeds United (A) – Sat 21 Mar
Brighton
Brentford (A) – Sat 21 Feb
Nottingham Forest (A) – Sun 1 Mar
Arsenal (A) – Wed 4 Mar
Sunderland (A) – Sat 14 Mar
Liverpool (A) – Sat 21 Mar
Crystal Palace
Wolves (H) – Sun 22 Feb
Manchester United (A) – Sun 1 Mar
Tottenham (H) – Thu 5 Mar
Leeds United (A) – Sat 14 Mar
Manchester City (H) – Sat 21 Mar
Fulham
Sunderland (A) – Sun 22 Feb
Tottenham (H) – Sun 1 Mar
West Ham (A) – Wed 4 Mar
Nottingham Forest (H) – Sat 14 Mar
Burnley (H) – Sat 21 Mar
Newcastle United
Manchester City (A) – Sat 21 Feb
Everton (H) – Sat 28 Feb
Manchester United (A) – Wed 4 Mar
Chelsea (A) – Sat 14 Mar
Sunderland (H) – Sun 22 Mar
Sunderland
Fulham (H) – Sun 22 Feb
Bournemouth (A) – Sat 28 Feb
Leeds United (A) – Tue 3 Mar
Brighton (H) – Sat 14 Mar
Newcastle (A) – Sun 22 Mar
Everton
Manchester United (H) – Mon 23 Feb
Newcastle (A) – Sat 28 Feb
Burnley (H) – Tue 3 Mar
Arsenal (A) – Sat 14 Mar
Chelsea (H) – Sat 21 Mar
What will frustrate Moyes, is that they should have beaten Bournemouth, and that the fixture list is only going to get harder.
Continue Reading