Successive defeats at Everton mean the Toffees now face a real battle to qualify for European football this season.
David Moyes has now suffered two losses in a row by stoppage time goals for the first time since October 2007, when Everton did exactly that against Newcastle and Liverpool during his first spell in charge.
Both of these defeats have seen Everton concede a set-piece as well. If that was not enough of a worry for supporters, the lack of minutes being spread throughout the squad should also be a real concern.
Donโt hold back, let us know who you want gone this summer ๐
Thierno Barry of Everton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton. Tyler Dibling of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton. Carlos Alcaraz appears after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill โ Danehouse/Carl Recine/Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto.
Several Everton players have barely appeared in 2026 and fatigue may be setting in
We all know Moyes is a stubborn operator, who typically finds a team he likes and sticks closely to it, but his overuse of some players is potentially causing his favourites to feel a bit of exhaustion.
So far in 2026, the likes of Merlin Rohl, Tyler Dibling, Adam Aznou, Nathan Patterson and Charly Alcaraz have hardly played โ as you can see below.
Player Premier League Minutes in 2026 Premier League Starts
Merlin Rohl 141 1
Tyler Dibling 75 0
Adam Aznou 0 0
Nathan Patterson 165 2
Charly Alcaraz 15 (injured) 0
Harrison Armstrong has also seen his minutes dry up since Idrissa Gueye returned from the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of January โ and was not even named in the squad for recent clashes against Brentford and Liverpool as Moyes spots a dip in the youngster.
Football is a squad game.
Moyes is not only pushing the same group of players to the limits and risking burnout โ Jarrad Branthwaite has already suffered an injury โ but the Glaswegian is also alienating those he leaves out on a weekly basis.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
You could defend the 63-year-old if those aforementioned names have shown absolutely no promise whatsoever, but some have impressed on the rare occasion they play.
Rohl shone against Aston Villa in the 1-0 win at the start of 2026, with Moyes even praising the German after that showing at Villa Park. Aznou was also brilliant in the FA Cup defeat against Sunderland.
Patterson has performed well when called upon too, although a midfielder in James Garner has been preferred at right-back in 2026 whenever Jake OโBrien has been unavailable.
Does this Everton fan have a point about Moyes? ๐ฎ
David Moyes, head coach of Everton, during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park.
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill โ Danehouse
If Everton do still end up qualifying for Europe this season โ thus creating a lot more fixtures for next term โ Moyes definitely needs to improve when it comes to trusting his entire squad.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox