Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Sat 30 May 2026 7:10, UK

Everton failed to qualify for Europe, and fans will still be reeling over the missed opportunity.

The chance to feature in a UEFA competition for the first time since 2017-2018 was there to be taken, and the Toffees will have no one but themselves to blame.

After the March international break, Everton were sat in eighth place, level on points with Brentford, and just three away from Liverpool in fifth.

If the Blues caught up to their Merseyside rivals, they could have earned Champions League football.

However, in Everton’s crunch ties against the traditional top sides, they have often failed to get results over the line, and that may be the backbone behind their failure.

How did Everton perform against the ‘Big Six’ this season?

Perhaps in the past, getting away with poor results against those considered to be the best of the Premier League was acceptable due to the stark difference in quality between those below them.

However, the Premier League is more competitive than it ever has been. Nine clubs will be competing in European competition next campaign.

Additionally, as low as 13th in the table was fighting for those coveted European spots up until the final few weeks of the season.

Getting results against those sides is just as important, but now more emphasis is on collecting points from the Premier League’s pre-conceived top dogs.

This season, the Toffees’ result against the “Big Six” was quite poor. David Moyes’ men only collected seven points, and in the mini-league table for games against those opponents, the Blues are fifth from bottom in 10th place.

Bournemouth (17), Brighton (15) and Sunderland (14), who have all qualified for Europe, all achieve at least double that tally.

So, if they are looking to get over that hump and achieve their European goals, they must improve their mentality, and the manager will have to do the same as Everton look towards next Premier League season.

What is David Moyes’ record against the ‘Big Six’?

Everton fans will be hoping that Moyes’ mentality from 2022 has changed in regards to these fixtures.

Speaking as West Ham manager in 2022 via Sky Sports, the Scotsman downplayed the importance of these matchups, stating: “What would a win at a big six club do?

“It would feel really good, but it wouldn’t be as good as having a consistent team, winning the games we should win, trying to be competitive and hanging in.”

It is quite a poor mentality to have, and that may be evident in the Toffees chief’s overall record. In 239 Premier League clashes against those sides, Moyes has only achieved 46 wins – a 19 per cent success rate.

Times have drastically changed now. There are clear spaces to invade in the table among those “big six” clubs. This season, Tottenham and Chelsea have not qualified for Europe.

Last season, Manchester United failed to qualify. Everton and Moyes’ mentality and approach to these matches must change.

As seen this season, those “Big Six” outsiders who can cause upsets tend to have more success when it comes to European qualification.

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