Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Wed 27 May 2026 14:40, UK

Everton missed out on European football at the end of the Premier League season, and they have nobody to blame but themselves.

Returning from the international break in April, the Toffees would embark on a dismal run of form, completely blowing them out of contention.

With three draws and four losses, the winless run for David Moyes‘ side stretches back to March, when they gained control in the continental battle via a 3-0 triumph against Chelsea.

Following this, the Blues would lose their form while others found theirs.

And after missing out on their first taste of European football since 2017, Everton are left to watch on as Crystal Palace prepare for the Conference League final.

Everton watch on as Crystal Palace prepare for historic night

A clear marker of the Premier League’s financial dominance in the modern era is the success in Europe.

After Aston Villa’s Europa League win last week, Palace face Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday as they look to lift their first European trophy, a tie in which they are firm favourites.

Had Everton qualified for either the Europa League or the Conference League, they would have been among the immediate favourites before a ball was even kicked.

This has most certainly been the case for Palace, who have performed well on the continent despite their relatively poor domestic campaign.

And as they take on Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig, it comes as no surprise to see Palace as the favourites, with the total salary expenditure of the 2025-26 season sitting at just over £76million, compared to the £29m of their opponents.

Relative to success, wage expenditure often correlates directly to success – especially when comparisons are made between leagues.

Looking at Everton’s figures, for example, the total pay per year without bonuses sits at around £78.5m.

Not only would supporters have the away trips of a lifetime, but the chance would also be there to go into a tournament as one of the firm favourites as they look to bring the long trophy drought to an end.

Instead, Blues fans are left to watch on and wonder what could have been.

How much of the blame lies with David Moyes after Everton collapse?

Throughout the season, Moyes has insisted that his team has been moving in the right direction.

Viewed over the full campaign, though, that claim falls apart under serious examination. There were isolated moments when progress seemed apparent, but they were quickly overshadowed.

Even as results deteriorated, he stubbornly clung to the same core of players, leaving Merlin Rohl, Tyler Dibling, Adam Aznou, Harrison Armstrong and Tyrique George without a genuine opportunity to displace his trusted regulars.

After years battling near the foot of the table, it initially felt like a magnificent step to even contemplate a push for Europe.

Yet the way Everton fell away was utterly indefensible, and Moyes’ refusal to deviate from an almost identical lineup week after week only worsened the slide.

Ahead of the summer, Moyes faces a precarious future, and a growing section of the fanbase has clearly lost patience.

If there had been an identifiable playing identity, a coherent long-term blueprint, or clear evidence that younger players were being integrated, supporters would likely have shown more understanding.

Instead, the team has stumbled to the end of the campaign and fully deserved its place in the bottom half of the table.

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