Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Sun 19 April 2026 8:10, UK

David Moyes‘ excellent work during his second spell at Everton highlights how badly they were faring towards the end of Sean Dyche‘s tenure.

Moyes had a hugely successful first spell at Everton between 2002-13, where he secured them multiple top six finishes before leaving for the Manchester United job.

While that didn’t work out for him, the Scot is once again proving his worth at Everton as they target returning to Europe for the first time since 2018.

Following Brentford’s goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday, Everton remain eighth in the Premier League table, one point off of sixth-placed Chelsea.

Ahead of Everton hosting rivals Liverpool on Sunday, the stellar work that Moyes has done at the Toffees has come to light.

David Moyes oversees impressive Everton improvement

When Dyche was sacked by Everton in January 2025, it seemed another relegation fight was on their hands. After finishing comfortably ahead of the relegation zone in 2023-24, despite being docked six points, Everton were limping along midway through the following campaign.

Dyche does deserve credit for keeping Everton in the Premier League under difficult circumstances. But Moyes’ work shows he was, arguably, underperforming with the Toffees.

When Dyche was dismissed, Everton were 16th, just one point above the relegation zone. They had won just one of their last 11 league games, failing to score in eight of them.

Only in three seasons in Everton’s history had they scored fewer goals after playing 19 league games. They had the division’s lowest Expected Goals rate at 18.33, they were second-worst for shots on target, and their goals-per-game rate of 0.79 was the lowest number for the team in 13 seasons. 

Back then, they were 29 points behind Liverpool. Ahead of the Merseyside derby on Sunday, that gap is down to five.

Indeed, according to the Daily Mail, Everton have accumulated a whopping 78 points in Moyes’ second spell. Only six teams have racked up more points since 11 January 2025 than Moyes’ Everton.

Everton will hope to close in on Liverpool in this overall points picture and in the league table on Sunday in their first Hill Dickinson Stadium encounter.

Everton’s Merseyside hardships

Heading into this clash, Everton have won just one of their last 14 Premier League home games against Liverpool.

However, a remarkable 10 of those have ended in a draw. But, Everton have won just five of their last 52 league games in Merseyside derbies since 2000 (9.6 per cent win rate).

Everton will nearly be at full strength to face Liverpool, while the visitors are without key player Hugo Ekitike, among others, due to injury.

Moreover, Liverpool have won their last two league games against Everton, but both have come at Anfield.

This may be an ideal time for Everton to beat Liverpool and boost their European qualification chances.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.