Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Tue 26 May 2026 6:40, UK Updated Tue 26 May 2026 7:39, UK

Everton’s season ended in disappointing fashion on Sunday with a 1–0 defeat away to Tottenham.

The game followed the pattern of recent weeks, with the Toffees once again failing to perform and their winless run stretching to seven matches.

Since returning from the international break last month, David Moyes’ side has completely fallen off a cliff, and a series of poor results has ultimately cost them a place in Europe.

It is particularly frustrating given that, before the break, the Blues were in a strong position and appeared to have taken control of the race for continental qualification.

Now, with the campaign over, Everton must reflect on what was an unacceptable end to the season.

Premier League numbers will have Everton seething as European chance disappears

Heading into the final day of the season, it was a dismal run for Everton, and while performances on the pitch have not been good enough, Moyes himself has to shoulder a lot of the blame.

Throughout this period, the Scotsman has remained reluctant to make changes, and the same ‘square pegs in round holes’ approach has been on show.

It was Moyes’ reluctance to change that ultimately cost his side dearly.

For context, Sunderland, who secured a Europa League place on the final day, finished the season on 54 points.

After beating Chelsea before the break, Everton had 46 points, leaving them seventh in the table, with Sunderland on 43. At that stage, all the Blues needed was three wins from their remaining seven games. They did not win a single one.

During that same period, Brighton picked up another 11 points, while Bournemouth added 15 to secure Conference League and Europa League football respectively.

The Toffees, by contrast, managed just three points from their final seven matches, and slipped to a 13th-place finish.

How much of the blame is on David Moyes after Everton collapse?

Throughout the campaign, Moyes has been unwavering in his belief that his side has made progress.

However, that simply does not stand up to scrutiny when the season is viewed as a whole.

There were days when improvement was evident, but they were few and far between.

Even during the poor run of form, he remained stubborn with his team selection, while the likes of Merlin Rohl, Tyler Dibling, Adam Aznou, Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George were never given a fair chance in place of his favoured few.

After a tumultuous spell at the bottom of the division, it was refreshing to harbour European ambitions again.

But the manner in which Everton collapsed is simply unacceptable, and the decision to persist with the same team over and over again did nothing to help.

This has left the Toffees with a huge amount of work to do over the summer, with Moyes now on thin ice heading into next season and many supporters clearly disgruntled.

Had there been a discernible style of play, a clear plan to believe in, or visible progress involving the younger members of the squad, fans would be more forgiving. Instead, the side has limped over the finish line and fully merited a bottom-half finish.

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