Roy Keane backs David Moyes to achieve transformational Everton fate – ‘Wow, imagine’
Roy Keane has backed David Moyes to achieve his mission of guiding Everton into the Champions League.
Everton’s late 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday leaves them five points off the top five, which would be enough for a spot in UEFA’s showpiece competition.
That gap could be reduced drastically next weekend as the Toffees take on Liverpool in a Merseyside derby with plenty on the line.
Brentford are also in the hunt for a top-five finish – or a Europa League or Conference League spot as a back-up – as are Brighton, Sunderland and potentially even Bournemouth.
On the back of Everton’s battling draw with Brentford, Keane is getting his support behind Moyes’s men.
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All to play for in Champions League chase
It is now officially known that fifth place will land a Champions League spot, and that could potentially extend to sixth if Arsenal or Liverpool finish in those spots and win the competition itself this campaign.
It means a number of teams have it all to play for in the final weeks of the season, with Everton very much among those.
| Fixture | Date | Venue |
| Liverpool | 19 April | Hill Dickinson Stadium |
| West Ham | 25 April | London Stadium |
| Man City | 4 May | Hill Dickinson Stadium |
| Crystal Palace | 9 May | Selhurst Park |
| Sunderland | 17 May | Hill Dickinson Stadium |
| Tottenham | 24 May | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium |
Providing his views on the Champions League race on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, former Manchester United midfielder Keane said: “It’s amazing. What an incentive.
“Sunderland, Brighton, Everton, Brentford – they’ve all had very good seasons. Dangling that carrot of being in the Champions League – wow.
“It’s huge for the profile of the club; the finances. Imagine Everton going there on the back of going to a new stadium. It’d be fantastic for one of these clubs to get in the Champions League.”
Pressed on who he fancied for fifth place, Keane said: “David Moyes has done a brilliant job at Everton as he always does…”
He then asked Jamie Carragher if that was a good answer, with the boyhood Everton fan quickly agreeing.
The Everton fixtures that will define European battle
All six remaining fixtures are important for Moyes’ side, not least next weekend’s showdown with fierce rivals Liverpool.
Win that and Everton will be right in the top-five picture. Even if it’s not a Champions League spot, though, competing in the Europa League at Hill Dickinson Stadium next season will be a massive achievement by Moyes.
Everton also have fellow high-flyers Sunderland to face before the end of the season, so there are a couple of six-pointers to come.
Moyes has showed he is worthy of a new deal at Everton, regardless of what happens over the coming month.
If he does guide Everton into the Champions League, however, then you can get that statue outside Hill Dickinson commissioned right away.
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