Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Fri 24 April 2026 11:40, UK

Everton will look to return to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday when they take on relegation-threatened West Ham.

The Toffees suffered a last-gasp defeat to rivals Liverpool in their previous outing, a blow that dented their hopes of securing European football.

Even so, it has been a fine season for David Moyes’ side, with the Blues finally competing higher up the table after a tumultuous spell near the bottom.

Everton will be eager to seize the opportunity before them, with their first taste of continental football since 2017 still within reach.

As they head to the London Stadium this weekend, Moyes may well be looking on enviously at the resources available to his opposite number.

Everton hit with concerns at the wrong time of the year

Everton’s squad is hardly blessed with strength in depth, a reminder of how far the club has travelled since the anxious brushes with relegation.

With that in mind, Moyes has been dealt a handful of untimely concerns at a crucial stage of the season.

Everton’s problems continue to mount. During Sunday’s derby defeat, star defender Jarrad Branthwaite was stretchered off just weeks after making his full return following a season badly disrupted by fitness issues.

There was further concern for David Moyes when striker Beto was also forced off after suffering a blow to the head. His availability remains unclear, but it is the kind of selection headache Moyes could do without at this stage of the campaign.

Thierno Barry has done little to convince since arriving from Villarreal last summer, meanwhile. Moyes’ cautious use of the Frenchman, coupled with regular criticism from the Everton support, underlines the lack of trust in him to lead the line for a side still chasing Europe.

By contrast, Nuno Espirito Santo has the luxury of a fully fit squad as his team continue their relegation fight – a position Everton can only look on at with envy as their own league battle rolls on.

Nuno Espirito Santo blessed with array of choices amid relegation battle

At the turn of the year, it seemed almost certain that the Hammers would be heading back down to the Championship by May.

Yet Nuno’s side have transformed their fortunes in 2026, while Moyes’ former club now find themselves outside the bottom three.

On the team news front, matters could hardly be more encouraging for the Portuguese boss, who has a full squad to choose from as the battle at the bottom intensifies.

Crysencio Summerville has recently returned from a spell on the sidelines and is beginning to rediscover his form out wide after an eye-catching display against Crystal Palace.

Like Everton, it is not the biggest squad in the division, but there is strength in depth across several positions.

As the Toffees look to build further in the years ahead, that depth will be crucial – particularly if continental football is added to the schedule next season.

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