Credit: Imago and Match of the Day

Cameron Smith

Mon 11 May 2026 7:10, UK

Everton‘s European hopes suffered another setback on Sunday as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace.

At Selhurst Park, the Toffees twice took the lead but were pegged back by Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta as the points were shared.

David Moyes’ side are now winless in five since the international break, having also drawn with Brentford and Manchester City either side of defeats by Liverpool and West Ham.

They remain in contention for Europe, but the Blues are no longer masters of their own fate.

Reflecting on Sunday’s contest, Danny Murphy gave his verdict on events in South London.

Danny Murphy highlights Everton issues in Crystal Palace draw

The Toffees started well in the capital, with James Tarkowski opening the scoring from a corner in the sixth minute.

For the 11th time this season, Moyes would watch on as his side scored from a set-piece, though he will remain frustrated after failing to take all three points once again.

Speaking on Match of the Day, pundit Danny Murphy suggested Moyes would be frustrated after the draw, with Everton unusually shaky at the back.

“For the level he has got out of Everton this season, he has set the bar really high, and defensively Moyes’ teams are always good,” said the former midfielder.

“But today, I thought they were a bit lax at times. Tarkowski and Michael Keane have been brilliant this season, and I actually think James Garner was great again today, but for the first goal he dropped too deep.

“He has got to get closer to the ball. He has dropped too deep, as have the back four. Then Keane doesn’t get the clearance right and it’s 1-1 – easily avoidable, in my opinion.”

Everton regained the lead in the second half through Beto, but, in keeping with the pattern of the match, small errors proved costly.

“When winning 2-1, I just felt they protected what they had a little too much,” added Murphy.

“It was a very good game, with both teams creating chances, but you can see all the players back and, when the ball comes in from Tyrick Mitchell, the back four drops really deep and leaves a gap in front of the defence, while the midfielders are too far apart.

“Moyes’ teams are usually tight, with closer distances. You can see with Palace in the ascendancy at 2-2, Tarkowski is trying to get them out, but Keane and Vitalii Mykolenko have just dropped in, so they are a little bit all over the place – understandably after a long, hard season,” he added.

Murphy concluded by praising Everton’s overall work this season.

“Overall, what a job he has done this season. It’s just a shame that, over the last few weeks, their form has dipped.”

The Blues are 10th with two games remaining. Sunderland visit Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday before Everton travel to Tottenham on the final day.

Everton can be proud of progress this season

Missing out on European football would naturally be a big disappointment given Everton’s season as a whole.

But they have made real progress under Moyes this term, with the relegation worries of recent years now very much a thing of the past.

Europe was never the expectation back in August, though a club of the Toffees’ size will always have it in its sights – and now they can begin to do so more consistently after the improvements made this term.

With a squad still largely the same one that has battled relegation several times this decade, there is now a chance for Everton to reset and go again over the summer.

So while there will be disappointment, the Blues can still be satisfied with their overall progress, with a mid-table finish a fair reflection of the squad’s quality and lack of depth.

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