Familiar faces and familiar failings haunt Everton whose European hopes are fading away
West Ham United 2 – 1 Everton
David Moyes's men served up another weak performance, succumbing to two more poorly defended goals and throwing away a point in stoppage time for the second weekend running
David Moyes has been bullish at times this season about Everton’s prospects of qualifying for Europe and some of his players have echoed his hopes but in his press conference ahead of today’s clash with West Ham, the sulking Scot said he wasn’t going to discuss the issue anymore.
A seemingly transformative triumph over Chelsea had pulled the Blues onto the Londoners’ shoulders and those of neighbours Liverpool but a blown opportunity at Brentford, coupled with a crippling derby defeat served to kill the manager’s mood.
Perhaps that translated to his players because they served up another weak performance at the London Stadium this afternoon, succumbing to two more poorly defended goals, throwing away a point in second-half stoppage time for the second weekend running.
And the identity of West Ham’s goal scorers could have been written before the match even kicked off. Both Tomáš Souček and Callum Wilson have seemingly made it their mission to score against Everton every season and they bagged again this afternoon, the Czech putting Nuno Espirito Santo’s men ahead six minutes after half-time and Wilson rendering Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s sumptuous half-volley redundant by plundering the winner.
Apart from an utterly bizarre decision by VAR Michael Salisbury not to award a penalty for a clear handball by Mateus Fernandes, Everton can have few complaints. Pedestrian and uninspiring in the first period, their abysmal start to the second half was duly punished and though they eventually equalised once the urgency of their plight had lit a fire under their backsides and Moyes had finally been moved to make some positive changes, it was all for nought as they were caught cold again late on.
The headline team selection concerns coming into the game centred around the missing duo of Jarrad Branthwaite and Beto, the former ruled out for the season with another hamstring injury and the latter under the Premier League’s concussion protocol. Both would be sorely missed.
In Beto’s absence, Thierno Barry was handed a rare start and he would rue Souček’s positioning on the goal line that denied him a precious second-half goal but there was little to inspire about the Frenchman’s overall display. And just like last week, Evertonians will wonder whether Branthwaite’s presence in the six-yard box might have prevented the concession of two more soft goals.
Just as concerning were the flat performances of Dwight McNeil, Idrissa Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye and even Dewsbury-Hall before he walloped home the equaliser. On a day when the Toffees needed intensity, tempo and desire, their attacking midfield core was found wanting.
Ndiaye popped up in flashes, his trademark dazzling feet almost forcing an opening late in the first half before he was crowded out. Dewsbury-Hall flattered to deceive on the counter-attack, failing to pick Barry out in a two-on-two after Barry couldn’t connect with an ambitious overhead kick attempt when McNeil delivered a cross behind the striker on an earlier breakaway.
Barry’s low drive from 25 yards was the only time that Mads Hermansen was called upon to make a save before half-time while, at the other end, Souček cleared Jordan Pickford’s crossbar from El Hadji Diouf’s free-kick over, a Fernandes effort was deflected narrowly over and, on the stroke of half-time, Jarrod Bowen flashed the ball across Everton’s six-yard box.
There was an argument for Moyes making a positive change at the halfway stage, such was the lacklustre nature of his outfit’s efforts in the first half, but he was forced into eventually turning to his bench by West Ham scoring the opening goal in the 51st minute.
Quite the opposite of seizing the initiative against a poor opponent, Everton just hadn’t shown up after the interval and they survived a penalty appeal by Tati Castellanos on Pickford after Crysencio Summerville had clipped an inviting cross the back post.
The VAR check confirmed that no spot-kick was warranted but the visitors conceded from the resulting corner anyway. Souček rose unchallenged behind Barry and ahead of James Tarkowski to bullet a header past Pickford who was, as usual, rooted to his goal line.
It took Moyes almost another quarter of an hour to make his first substitutions but they at least the effect of injecting some life into Everton’s performance, with Tim Iroegbunam injecting some badly-needed impetus in midfield as James Garner switched to right back as Jake O’Brien made way and Tyrique George bringing some of the trickery and directness on the flank that had been sorely lacking from McNeil.
Iroegbunam came close to creating an opening for Barry in the 71st minute after being played towards the byline by Gueye but Souček intercepted the ball ahead of Barry in his six-yard box.
Then, three minutes later, after Ndiaye won a corner off Diouf, Barry rose to meet a teasing George cross from the left and looked for all the world to have scored until his header bounced off Souček’s head, onto the bar and over.
While not exactly swarming all over them, Everton at least had West Ham in retreat as the game entered the final 10 minutes and when the away fans bayed for a penalty for handball, it looked as though they’d be handed a way back into the game via the penalty spot.
However, despite Fernandes wrestling with Barry with his arms around the striker and batting the ball behind with his fingers, the VAR deemed it to be “a natural grappling motion” and recommended that play continue.
Undeterred, the Toffees did level matters four minutes later. Vitalii Mykolenko floated a cross in from the Everton left, Tarkowski cushioned a header back into the path of Dewsbury-Hall and he leathered it expertly past Hermansen from around 12 yards out.
That should have been the catalyst for Everton seizing the moment but, instead, they wilted in stoppage time. Bowen won a back-post header against the hapless Mykolenko putting the winner on a platter for substitute Wilson who made no mistake, ramming it home from close range. It was the forward's ninth career goal against the Blues.
George had a late chance to break the Hammers’ hearts but couldn’t get enough curl on a right-footed shot that missed the far post by a couple of feet and that was that.
Since the unwanted three-week hiatus for internationals and the FA Cup after the Chelsea game, Everton haven’t really shown up with any of the intent required from a team hoping to sneak into Europe. One point from a possible nine from Brentford, Liverpool and now West Ham is a poor return and means that the Blues have dropped out of the top half of the table.
The team’s current form isn’t providing many grounds for optimism and they face Manchester City next in a fixture that hasn’t yielded so much as a single point for Everton since Ronald Koeman oversaw that stunning 4-0 victory almost a decade ago.
So by the time they travel to Crystal Palace on 10th May, Moyes’s men could be looking at a run of just one win in six, with their season fizzling out along with their aspirations of playing Continental football next season.
Reader Responses
Selected thoughts from readers25/04/2026 20:56:20
Sorry David but I’m afraid this one is on you.
From selection to set up to then on game management was wrong.
Starting Barry was a risk and it showed, simply not up to the task, Barry was a massive part of the reason we lost today. When you have the honour of wearing an Everton shirt all you have to do is show passion and fight at a minimum, he doesn’t even manage to do the fundamentals, which are absolutely essential for every minute you’re on the pitch.
He doesn’t shut down or put the opposition back line under any pressure, he’s too weak on and off the ball, which in turn creates gaps and invites pressure, this was glaringly obvious against Liverpool when Beto went off, if Beto was playing instead of Barry I’m sure we wouldn’t of lost these games, simply because Beto does the fundamentals really well and puts himself about and the opposition can’t play through us.
Moyes starting Barry was a mistake and then not taking him off was another mistake when he was an absolute disgrace for 90 minutes.
Starting O’Brien at right back especially against Summervillle who had him on toast all match was another mistake, he finallly took him off. O’ Brien manfully does his best but he’s no cb.
Moyes’ approach kitan1 is unnecessary against opposition of this calibre and unacceptable. I could go on here as there’s a whole catalog of mistakes.
Can we win 3 of the next 4 games? Yes but not with Barry playing or Moyes’ cautious approach, we can still reach Europe but we have to take it rather than wait for it to fall in our laps.
25/04/2026 21:59:02
Just checked and it was the same VAR Team today, who didnt give Everton the penalty v Arsenal at home, this season.
VAR brings the EPL into disrepute, every week.
Everton, seem to get a bad deal more than the average for each club, every season.
The curse of Clive Thomas...in modern day form.
Chris Kavanagh, I hope the club put in a complaint against him, for consustent concious bias against Everton.
How VVD, didnt get booked for assault against Gana, last week, another of the Derby mysteries, with another cert pen, like in so many Derbies not given for Everton.
Today the officials cacked their kecks, again.
But Evertons ppoor narking today us inexcusable.
The Book of Infamy (Everton FC - the last 60 years) is being drafted!
I'm messing, but that would be a few hundred pages!🤣
25/04/2026 22:19:36
Disappointing but not entirely surprising. Not for the first time against a team managed by Nuno Espírito Santo we enjoyed the majority of possession, making more passes in the final third but failing to find a cutting edge until the final twenty minutes.
What did surprise and disappoint me was the apparent lack of urgency in the first hour. That was a collective failure. It is unfortunate that the individuals upon whom we rely to drive the team forward as well as produce special moments have faded in the last three matches.
The most obvious example is Ndiaye. In the closing stages today he looked totally bereft of energy as he tried his best to make something happen in the corner in front of the away section. Sometimes no matter how much effort a player makes, the spark is just not there. The same observation could be made of Garner, Gana and even Dewsbury-Hall although the last named is at least still posing a goal threat.
The team therefore needs an injection of energy and pace. Tyrique George and Tim Iroegbunam supplied those elements as substitutes today. I expect both will start next week.
26/04/2026 00:59:47
Good summsry John. Its been a real Killer Week, results wise.
But still a fair chsnce of Europe. This means Beto, must be playing, imho, as there is no real balance, in the set up without him.
If he had played todsy, Everton would have won.
NSNO!
26/04/2026 01:15:41
This is the third straight match where Moyes has started the one footed McNeil Ahead of George.
The dithering Dave Tag is starting to make sense to me.. obviously I’m a slow learner!
As for Barry, well! what can I possibly say?
We heard of the great Rock and Roll Swindle, but this has to be the Football equivalent.
Can anyone please find me a less adapt, less adroit, footballer to compare this waist, of a football kit to?
Scathing, I know, but seriously, WTF!
Moyes doesn’t have a game plan, he has a very boring routine.. which has been well and truly rumbled.
And this embarrassing up an under shit, from the kick off has to stop. It stinks of desperation.
26/04/2026 05:08:15
Everton That.
Underwhelming.. Predictably poor when it matters.
On a good day (rare as hens teeth) its a joy to watch, on an average day you just don't know what you will get.
On a poor day we are dreadful.
Its a Moyes team, its de javu. We have seen it all before and it has to stop. But it won't unless the owners realise that David Moyes has fashioned a team that is a reflection of his philosophy.
I sound like a broken record, I left the other place because I thought I was out of step with my perspectives. Its the elephant in the room.
Yes the owners will have to invest, but how much and when depends as much on their ambition level as club profitability. If they are happy where we are David Moyes will get a new contract for three years and we will be lucky if we make Europe in any one of the three years, sitting anywhere between 8 - 12th out of all cups in January. If thats the case its justifiable in asking just what is TFG end game? 3/5 years quick sale or long term also rans in the worlds best league?
Lets be right up front, I am not being critical of the owners, I just want to see the future from their perspective. But I do think they have been lulled into a false sense of expectation with Moyes. He is an 80% Premiership Manager. He motivates players he feels he needs and leaves the rest hanging. As for recruitment, several much touted new players must be totally pissed off with him. Watching players playing out of position or worst still, in their position, who are incapable of doing the job, found wanting constantly and they are rarely if ever used except for the last 10 mins if they are lucky.
As it stands, the back four need replacing. (Branthwaite is a keep but injury prone.)
The Midfield, Gana is gone, legs shot sorry. McNeil as well, Tiny Tim is not good enough. All three should go close season. Garner, KDH, Ndiaye, obviosly keep. But I honestly don't know enough to to make a call on Charly (I like) Dibling and Rohl (but I have no idea) George looks disinterested.. Barry (nowhere near good enough) Beto ( another Straq) Given Moyes had the final call over recruitment it doesn't fill me with any confidence on his judgement.
In short its a team that needs a rebuild but this is where it gets difficult, will the owners want to spend, do they trust Moyes to spend it wisely (they must be asking questions about moneys spent so far and why he is not selecting?) Thats a judgement issue thats costing money. Their money.
For me this is a carbon copy of the Moyes we had before and its why I wanted him on a short term basis. He did a great job, but the limitations of the team are a reflection of the managers own limitations.
I shall now go outside and kick next doors cat.
26/04/2026 07:01:07
Christine, you said you left the other place because you felt out of step. I think the ‘other place’ has many who think along the same lines as you. I’m definitely one of them.
I thought a corner had perhaps been turned prior to the international break. How naive. It was just another false positive. I was so disappointed by yesterday’s back to normal performance. No energy, no guile, no ‘Hey, if we win this we are back in the European mix’. Nothing. Pathetic.
I said last week that Barry should never put an Everton shirt on again. He can’t control a ball, dribble, win duels, pass. I’ve seen no evidence that he’s a footballer. But the lack of effort and interest is abominable.
However, the buck stops firmly with the manager. I said before the Derby he had no excuses not to win that game. Everything was in his favour and he failed.
I’m fed up of pundits praising the manager for returning us to mediocrity. I don’t want to hear how lucky we are to have this man at the helm. I never wanted him back in the first place but could understand the rationale. He did a good job in getting us out of the relegation battle. But that’s it. We should have said ‘Thank you Dave’ and replaced him last summer. That was my hope.
‘ Be careful for what you wish for’, they say. Well, I don’t want to be careful for what I wish for. I wish for an Everton I can be proud of. An Everton that excites me. I want a manager who can take us to a level our support base deserves. Sadly, the incumbent is not the one to do this.
26/04/2026 07:20:39
Europe was never a objective and Moyes even gave up pretending before the press conference.The team was set up to defend 10 yards back and the inevitable happened when the best could be hoped for was a draw, errors.
I see Karen Brady has resigned on £1.2 million per year and Angus Kinnear on £562.000 per year, was formerly employed at West Ham.
26/04/2026 11:12:34
Jerome (9) I think the bigger issue was our players’ inability to make better use of our 56% possession, a problem compounded by Barry’s shortcomings as a central attacker. As at Leeds in the first game of the season we found it difficult to play through compact defensive lines.
Loose passing, an absence of creativity, a lack of movement and poor decisions were evident throughout the first half. We knew we had problems when we saw Michael Keane’s attempt to make something happen by carrying the ball past halfway with all bar Tarkowski and Pickford in front of him.
On a different topic, how ludicrous was the decision to refuse a penalty for the handball by Fernandes? Sitting in Row 3 I have not seen anything so clear and obvious. VAR, what is it good for?…..absolutely nothin’!
26/04/2026 11:20:45
Christine
spot on great post.
26/04/2026 12:03:44
I didn’t watch the game yesterday and haven’t seen the highlights yet but I felt a defeat was inevitable given the way we lost last week.
I can understand why fans of other clubs and pundits think Moyes has done a great job but we fans are able to see his shortcomings.
Yes, he did great pulling us away from relegation last season and we have been clear of it this season but my overall feeling is one of frustration.
I’m no tactician but it was clear to see that after our, arguably, best performance of the season against Chelsea that playing higher up the pitch and closing them down resulted in a very enjoyable game and walking away from the ground everyone was in high spirits.
Why then, against the RS, did we revert to normal and sit ten yards further back and allow them back into the game?
We need to strengthen the squad in all areas and it won’t be done in one window but significant strides must be made.
Much as I love Tarks and Gana Gueye they are slowing down but still required for next season. Similarly Keane and Micky will be needed but upgrades for all of them, plus a centre forward and a right back must be sought.
I’m sure TFG want us to be successful but I’m equally sure they will give Moyes a new contract which means more of the same next season whoever we bring in.
Wins against City and Palace will make me think positively again and dreaming of Europe and I will be renewing my 7.5% increased season ticket (on top of a 60% seniors increase this season) but let’s have a bit more adventurous endeavour next season eh?
26/04/2026 12:13:33
Nothing changes. One excellent performance albeit against a poor and declining Chrlsea, but several strps backwards since.
I believe the situation with Harrison Armstrong epitomises and characterises the shortcomings of our manager. A young player of huge talent and presence. Excellent performances when we needed him. Held back from a return to Preston and briefly played out of position and now ignored.
26/04/2026 13:50:07
Well I thought we might have won the Derby last week, and play out the rest of the season giving some of the younger squad players some important game time. I wasn't too concerned about qualifying for Europe as I don't believe we have a strong enough squad. Instead we seem to be following a familiar and disappointing pattern.
I was hoping Barry would not play yesterday as I don't believe his application is anywhere near what is required. I also believe there is no real point now in selecting Gueye and McNeil as first choice starters as we have promising young players on the bench desperate for game time. I also think it's time now to play O'Brien in his proper position, especially as we had two specialist right backs on the bench.
Perhaps we were unfortunate to loose the game, but I haven't heard one person say we played well, rather we could have predicated our short comings and simply made it easy for West Ham to claim all the points. Next week we play City of course when I hope the Manager will surprise us all with a different game plan, if not I fear we will be beaten again.
26/04/2026 13:51:49
John#10
Going beyond that 10 yards is the problem and the players are not geared to do that, by Moyes.It was the same in the Derby when the goalkeeper was replaced.
I never comment on Referee decisions, since I believe you can't beat the referee and the result stands
26/04/2026 14:37:15
The rub of the green and all that, or another one, it evens out at the end of the season. Well I think you would have a long way to go to balance out some of the decisions this season. It's almost as if an edict has come from Masters to referees telling them to give us nothing, never mind how clear cut the offence is. Nothing.
Perhaps in the quiet of his home last night, Masters sipped a whisky and chuckled th himself and murmered.." Premier league, corrupt as. I will make you pay for that" and that's exactly what's happening.
VAR has already ruined the game, But this smacks of a deliberate intention to manipulate or sheer incompetence.
26/04/2026 15:02:13
By the way I think Barry is badly coached
26/04/2026 16:51:41
I have questions …
Why has Rohl not started since his imperious display against Villa three months ago?
Why was a once again out of form McNeil preferred, again, to Armstrong?
Why start Barry? Or to put it another way, why does our manager only set up to play one way and utilise like for like subs regardless of specific in game demands?
What can the club hierarchy do to raise awareness about the blatant bias in both refereeing (no fouls given by Liverpool player’s mate Kavanagh last week) and VAR (natural grappling motion” bollocks) this week?
Why this season do we always go in to international breaks in fine form and come out of them so poorly?
Why would any agent of any bright prospect currently playing outside the PL encourage their charges to consider coming to us this summer unless given guarantees over playing time?
And finally can anyone realistically expect the manager to change his ways now he’s 63 (happy birthday for yesterday)?
I hope TFG are pondering some if not all of the above!
26/04/2026 22:21:10
Steve#18
I can answer the question regarding international breaks.Everton have rarely or never come out of a International break looking prepared or at the races, for over 30 years.
27/04/2026 10:09:03
Why is Mykolenko getting off so easily? Time and time again, he gets beaten in the air at the back post. Now I realise he's not, 6ft + but Bowen isn't exactly a giant is he? It's "groundhog day" at Everton.
27/04/2026 11:03:42
Who expected a win at West Ham? I certainly didn't after seeing the team Moyes put out. Barry, I know was the only No 9 we had available, but that was the same as no No 9 available, and McNeil again when there was a choice of players to fit that role. It was a joke that those two were picked ahead of others and told me that Moyes would play his usual negative style hoping for a pinched goal from someone late on to win the game. Not surprising to get the result we got was it.
Whilst I welcomed Moyes back initially he stifles play through his conservatism and lack of ambition.. However it is a good thing that Europe is a fast receding idea for next season as it would only have ended in frustration and tears for us supporters as the combination of Moyes and the players limitations would have scotched any idea of glory very soon into whatever competition we landed in. Better next season after TFG have had opportunity to think things through and get us properly prepared for that challenge. If they don’t put things right during the summer, we can all give up hoping for the improvements we all want and TFG can give up on any thought they had about Everton becoming a contender for anything.
So TFG the names mention here sre you starter for ten re the work to do this summer. There are others however to consider similarly.
27/04/2026 12:15:12
According to rumors, Moyes contract talks have stalled, apparently TFG are not convinced / sufficiently impressed of late. Really?
I see also Chelsea's are keen on Iraola, he wouldn't be a bad choice as our next manager..
27/04/2026 12:21:20
Oh thats interesting Christine, where was that rumour seen or heard please
27/04/2026 12:30:23
Andy, I know it's Goodison news and probably bs but it's out there today.
https://www.goodisonnews.com/2026/04/26/david-moyes-contract-talks-dismissed-at-everton-as-boardroom-division-fuels-uncertainty/
Slightly back on subject, the BBC just put up a piece on European qualification with dual owners and we appear as the headline piece.. mind you it's becoming less of a worry this season..
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cgj0qlvj9qno
27/04/2026 12:37:25
Christine I would not be surprised.Moyes will be trying for a contract extension and TFG will be wanting more younger player development progress during his present contract as they are set to continue the same transfer policy as last Summer, with younger players with potential.Moyes system does not allow sufficient development of young players , even when he does decide to play them.
27/04/2026 12:55:55
Thanks Christine.
I would like to think that there is at least a little something in this gossip, as it would be appropriate for a club to review progress, look at options, and set targets.
Hopefully some more solid details will emerge, then we can start a bigger picture conversation.
27/04/2026 13:06:25
Moyes isn't really the right fit. He wants to be an old style manager rather than merely the coach.
I wonder whether TFG may consider trying to lure Lee Carsley back to the club. I think he'd be a good fit for the structure they've been putting in place.
27/04/2026 13:37:08
I like and admire Carsley Dennis, but he seems to have found his niche already.
Prem proven Iraola, Glasner, these are interesting to me.
27/04/2026 13:49:17
Christine # 7
C’est vrai ça.. c’est la faute de David de Javu!
27/04/2026 19:49:42
Paul, it's the same in any language. We've been here before, it looks and feels familiar, we know what's going to happen, that annoyance you have when you feel you're the only one who can see it, feel it.
Take your pick but which ever way you look at it this is David Moyes "modus operandi" but it has its limitations, which were apparent to see in his first stint and every club since. The EPL has changed massively, he is a short term fixer, much like what Big Sam became. If we are building for the future we can't rely upon the past. He has done what we hoped he would and for that he he has expunged the memories of old somewhat. But the way forward is not in his locker.
27/04/2026 20:09:26
I do not think the team or squad is ready for European football and we would not be equiped to cope with the extra games. We find it hard to manage the cup games now nevermind adding European games.
We must bring in full backs and a mobile striker and Ideally an all round dominant midfielder.
Getting rid of Moyes for a new manager would make me very nervous. I was not a Moyes fan first time round but compared to what has gone on in recent years he has brough a bit of stability albeit he has his limitations. But I am not confident we would appoint someone better.
27/04/2026 21:58:20
Christine # 30
I agree 100 %. I was just making light of your Typo.
The old Moyes has already started to show through.
For me, as I saw the evidence against Liverpool.
In that game, He starts McNeil and substituted him with about 12 minutes left, with George, who did more in those minutes, than McNeil did in all his time on the field.
I thought George would have been nailed on to start, as the previous week, against Brentford he replaced the useless McNeil with 14 minutes left and yet he outshone McNeil in that short stint.
Again on Saturday, he started the useless McNeil ( who should have been got shot of to Palace last Summer ) and left him on for far too long.
To see McNeil as an automatic starter, in our quest for Europe, fills me with angst, to the the extent that I’ve now lost all confidence Moyes.
But, maybe I’m being a little ungrateful to the Moysiah!
This is what happens when your appetite has been whet for a top half finish !
We have some very good players, but we also have some very bad players.
So, the positive is nullified by the negative, which amounts to mediocrity !
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25/04/2026 20:38:13
It has been a frustrating 2 weeks.
Cack house Referees making rank bad descions on stonewall penaltys. V the RS and today. It is numbing but also is the lavk of organisation for set pieces.
Mugged off sgain today, and a disssppointing lacklustre Everton performance today.
The manner of last Sundays loss, was tough to take, but the bad habits standing off, inviting the sho. not tracking back, sloppy passing and lack of appetite and belief was evident today.
In Barry.who recruited him should be made accountable.
He isn't a footballer, and has cost Everton by playing him, this season.
Charlie Alcaraz, should have started.
But too little too late, deja vu, and surely Tireeq must start v City?
Another Saturday to ponder, and Europe looks like a mirage.
But the poxy VAR and the EPL, I hope Everton sue them for cheating and breech of fair play.. City go another year with no punishment.
Still if Everton, win 3/4 games left, and the teams above fade in the run in. EVERTON. still have a chance of European football and a fresh impetus for next season.