Credit:Imago

Cameron Smith

Fri 1 May 2026 11:40, UK

Everton are desperate to get their European push back on track on Monday when they face Manchester City.

There are few tougher assignments after successive defeats, but David Moyes’ side will aim to frustrate the title chasers.

Since the international break, the Toffees’ hopes of continental football have suffered a major blow. A draw with Brentford was followed by defeats to Liverpool and West Ham.

Moyes’ men battled back at the London Stadium last week, but after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s late equaliser, they were undone by an even later Callum Wilson winner.

Now, with the potential champions arriving at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton must make sure they still have one last shot at Europe.

David Moyes may be left with no choice with changes vs Manchester City

Dwight McNeil’s struggles out wide continue for Everton.

Though he found some form after his failed deadline-day move to Crystal Palace this winter, his lack of dynamism compared with Iliman Ndiaye on the opposite flank remains an obvious weakness.

With Manchester City likely to dominate possession on Monday, Moyes’ side will need to be ruthless on the counter – something that looks unlikely with McNeil in the team given his lack of physicality.

By contrast, Tyrique George has yet to make a major impact since arriving on loan from Chelsea, but the talent is clear and he deserves an opportunity.

George produced a lively cameo off the bench against Brentford last month, yet has remained on the fringes since.

With more pace and a maverick streak in the final third, the 20-year-old has to be given a chance out wide, especially with Everton relying too heavily of late on Ndiaye’s mercurial talent for creativity.

Completing the two changes, Beto should also return for Thierno Barry after missing the defeat at West Ham with the head injury he suffered in the derby against Liverpool.

Barry, who joined from Villarreal last summer, has endured a difficult debut season and is already among the likeliest names to be linked with a move away this summer.

Beto meanwhile, has shown he can trouble the division’s elite, scoring against Chelsea and Liverpool at Goodison recently, and could be key if the Toffees are to trouble the title chasers.

Everton have one last chance to make a European statement

At the start of the season, Blues fans would have snapped your hand off for a mid-table finish after a tumultuous spell spent fighting near the bottom.

Yet there remains a sense that this campaign could still go down as a missed opportunity if continental football is not secured.

Following the stadium move last summer, a European adventure would have been the ideal statement of intent for a new era, especially with a squad still largely made up of former relegation candidates.

Instead, Everton have lost form just as others have found theirs.

Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, will naturally provide a stern test, but this is Everton’s final chance to force their way back into the race for Europe at the business end of the season.

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