Everton have had a pleasantly surprising season – and it could well have a brilliant end.
David Moyes has the Toffees on the brink of Europe, having exceeded expectations so far.
Few thought a push for Europe would be possible this soon after The Friedkin Group took over, but Moyes now has Evertonians far and wide believing.
Seven games left and on 46 points – how many points do you expect Everton to finish on? 🤔
David Moyes, manager of Everton, claps fans after a 3-0 win in the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea.
Credit: Getty Images/Jorge Horsted/News Images/NurPhoto
The league table is very tight at the moment.
But if Everton can just show some consistency and pick up a few more wins, there will be a great chance of playing in a European competition next term.
That is the big focus right now.
But Moyes currently also stands to achieve something quite rare, with six games to go.
Everton eyeing positive goal difference for first time since 2018/19
Of course, Everton have had some tough times in recent years.
Under Farhad Moshiri’s ownership, too many poor decisions were made and a lot of money was wasted.
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The club flirted with relegation, and regularly struggled on the pitch, with too many goals being conceded and not enough being scored.
Thankfully the picture is a lot different now and refreshingly, after 32 games played in the Premier League, Everton actually have a positive goal difference of two.
David Moyes looks on while managing Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
The last time Everton finished a season with a positive goal difference was the 2018/19 campaign, when Marco Silva was in charge.
The club finished eighth that term and got 54 points on the board, with the final goal difference plus eight.
In the seasons since, Everton’s goal differences have been -12, -1, -23, -23, -11 and -1.
For a club like Everton to have not finished a league season with a positive goal difference for seven years is remarkable, and something that Moyes would surely like to change.
That said, goal difference will of course be secondary to points on the board and final league position.
Goal difference could be crucial as Everton eye Europe
At the moment, Everton are in a battle with several other clubs to finish in the European spots.
And goal difference could well play a big part come the end of the season.
Brentford’s is currently plus four, while Brighton – who are ninth – have a difference of plus six.
Team Current PL goal difference Points
Chelsea +12 48
Brentford +4 47
Everton +2 47
Brighton +6 46
Sunderland -3 46
Bournemouth -1 45
Fulham -3 44
Crystal Palace -1 42
Newcastle United -2 42
Sunderland, Bournemouth, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United all have negative goal differences of -3, -1, -3, -1 and -2 respectively.
With Everton generally praised for their defensive solidity, the onus will be on the forward players to up the rate of scoring in the final six games.
Doing so could well be the difference as Everton look to bring European nights to the Hill Dickinson.
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