Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Sat 4 April 2026 18:10, UK

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall believes Everton won’t do themselves “justice” if they fail to reach Europe from the position they are in.

Heading into the final seven games of the Premier League season, David Moyes‘ side are eighth in the table.

Seventh place in the division is likely to secure Conference League football next season, with Brentford ahead of Everton on goal difference.

Everton are trying to return to European football for the first time since 2018 but amid their strong form, they may even harbour dreams of Champions League football next term.

Everton are just three points behind rivals Liverpool, who occupy the last Champions League qualification spot, and now Dewsbury-Hall has made it clear about his season-ending aspirations.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall eyes big Everton step

For much of this decade, Everton have been a team narrowly staving off relegation to the Championship. Sean Dyche steadied the ship but under Moyes, they look a different beast.

Last season, the Scot took over from Dyche and led the Toffees to 13th with 48 points. After 31 games this season, they already have 46.

If results go their way in game week 32, Everton could jump as high as fifth in the table. Now, summer signing Dewsbury-Hall is laying his cards on the table.

When asked if European qualification was a goal, he told The Toffee Blues: “I think it would be lying to you if we said no.

“I think that will be a big step for this football club especially after the last couple of years. There’s been a new vision for this club over the last 18 months with the new ownership, new stadium and new players.

“I think we won’t have done ourselves justice if we don’t get Europe after the position we’ve put ourselves in, so that’s a big statement but that’s what I feel.”

From their current position, and off the back of winning three of their last four games, Everton fans can rightly get excited about the prospect of Europe.

Brentford have drawn their last three, Chelsea and Liverpool are faltering, but Fulham and Brighton are building ahead of steam in ninth and 10th. However, Everton may be favourites from here to at least get seventh.

Everton exceeding expectations

After finishing 13th last term, perhaps a mid-table finish this season would have been expected by Toffees fans.

However, according to Transfermarkt, they have the 14th most valuable Premier League squad at £392.5million.

Brentford are just above them at £410m, while Tottenham (£700m), Newcastle United (£618m), and Nottingham Forest (£495m) have more valuable squads but are much further down the table.

Ergo, they are exceeding expectations. Everton – who face Brentford next, followed by rivals Liverpool – also don’t have a particularly big wage bill (which is often a good indicator for league position) for where they sit in the table.

Indeed, Capology states that nine Premier League sides have a bigger wage bill than Everton, with Brentford second from bottom.

So while the Bees are punching above their weight more than, arguably, anyone, Everton aren’t far off them, either.