David Moyes is refusing to talk of Europe despite Everton climbing to fifth in the Premier League after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Thierno Barry scored the only goal after 11 minutes at the Hill Dickinson, taking his tally to five for the season and extending Everton’s unbeaten league start to five matches.
Two wins and three draws have given the Blues nine points, but Moyes was having none of it when the subject of Europe was raised afterwards.
“We are not using those words this year.”
It was about as emphatic as Moyes could have been.
Moyes refuses to discuss Europe
Asked whether European qualification had been set as a target inside the club, Moyes was prepared to concede only that some conversations were being kept away from the press.
“Not [saying] in front of you people [the media], that’s for sure, because we’re still preparing ourselves and make sure we can do the best we can.”
It follows Moyes’ pre-match warning about expectations, and five games into the league season he clearly sees little value in getting carried away by Everton’s position.
There are, however, some encouraging numbers behind it.
Everton have kept five clean sheets in seven matches in all competitions, including another against Ipswich, while Moyes’ side continue to create chances at the other end. What they are not yet doing is making enough of them count.
“We’ve statistically been making more chances and we had 21 shots [against Ipswich], which is very good, but only two on target which isn’t very good.”
That was the obvious frustration on Saturday. Everton had opportunities to put Ipswich away but Barry’s early goal remained the difference until the final whistle.
Barry carries greater Everton responsibility
Barry’s fifth goal of the campaign was particularly welcome after Everton lost two senior attacking players late in the transfer window.
Beto joined Fiorentina while Iliman Ndiaye moved to Manchester City, leaving Moyes with fewer established options at the top end of the pitch.
Everton’s defensive work has so far helped compensate. Jordan Pickford summed up the mood after the Ipswich victory when speaking to BBC Sport.
“You have to dig in, that’s the Everton way.”
BBC pundit Danny Murphy was similarly unsurprised by Everton’s ability to grind out the victory.
“Nothing surprises me with a David Moyes side.”
There was certainly some grinding required against Ipswich. Everton did enough, but 21 attempts producing only two on target left the game closer than Moyes would have wanted.
Everton build from the back under Moyes
The defensive record has been a feature of Everton’s improvement since Moyes returned for his second spell in January 2025, when the club were 16th and only a point above the relegation zone.
Jarrad Branthwaite remains central to Moyes’ plans, while the manager has also spoken recently about the progress being made by Tyler Dibling.
There is also a Carabao Cup last-16 tie at home to Newcastle to come in October, adding another competition for a squad which became lighter in attack at the end of the window.
For the moment, though, Moyes is keeping the conversation firmly on what Everton are doing rather than where it might eventually take them.
Fifth place and an unbeaten start may encourage others to talk about Europe. Moyes certainly isn’t joining them yet.
Supporters can look back at Everton’s starting XI against Ipswich, while BBC Sport’s post-match coverage has more reaction from the game.
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