Everton are looking to get European football come the end of the season, and it could potentially go right down to the wire.
Yesterday, the Toffees drew 2-2 with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, which was not a bad result in the end.
Sum that one up for us, Blues! 🤩
Beto of Everton scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brentford and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Alex Broadway
Brentford have been a surprise package this season under Keith Andrews, and harbour European ambitions of their own.
The teams went into yesterday’s game on the same number of points.
The Bees came just minutes away from winning, but Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was Everton’s saviour, popping up to score his seventh of the season at the death.
David Moyes was pleased with a point, but Everton need to improve if they’re to get into Europe – and stopping one worrying trend that’s developing will help immensely.
Everton are falling behind in games far too often
David Moyes looks on while managing Everton.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
If Everton are going to secure European football for next season, then seemingly it will be done the hard way.
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Yesterday against Brentford there was a familiar sight as the Toffees fell behind in a Premier League game.
This has actually now happened 16 times so far this season – exactly half the number of games Everton have played.
For context, there are only three other clubs in the Premier League who have been in losing positions in more games than Everton (16).
Most PL games having trailed in 25/26
1. Wolves – 25
2. Sunderland – 19
3. Bournemouth – 17
4. Everton – 16
5. Aston Villa – 16
as of 12/04, 12pm UK time
They are bottom club Wolves (25), Sunderland (19) and Bournemouth (17). Aston Villa have also trailed in 16 games like Everton, but this could change today when they face Nottingham Forest.
So given this, it is quite impressive that Everton have actually managed to get themselves into eighth and firmly in the conversation for European football.
But Everton don’t lie down
It’s definitely a worry that Everton seem to spend so much time trailing in games.
And this may not be sustainable heading into the final six games if Everton are to get European football.
However, Everton’s league position obviously indicates that David Moyes’ side have shown a great mentality.
Everton manager David Moyes.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Although only three clubs have had more games trailing, Everton have at least taken nine points from the games in which they’ve trailed.
That’s not bad, and puts them in the middle of the pack in terms of the rest of the Premier League clubs.
While Everton don’t lie down in games, it is obviously much more optimal to be leading and surely Moyes needs to be drumming that into the players ahead of the final push.
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