- Late Dewsbury-Hall goal secures point after Igor Thiago brace for the Bees.
- Moyes praises defensive resilience, admitting it was not the prettiest performance.
- Toffees stay eighth, level with Brentford, dreaming of a return to Europe.
Following the Toffees’ 2-2 draw with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium this afternoon, David Moyes spoke glowingly of his team’s defensive grit and the growing momentum in their quest for Europe.
Thanks to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 91st-minute leveller, the draw extended Everton’s good run of form in 2026 and edges them closer to the European places.
On the result and ‘Everton resilience’
Moyes was content with the draw, given how the game played out, and acknowledged that while his side has been clinical of late – especially in the win over Chelsea before the international break – this point away at Brentford was a decent return:
“To come here and take a point against a side as organised as Brentford is never easy,” Moyes said afterwards. “We showed a bit of that resilience today. We had to dig in, especially when they had us under pressure in the second half. It wasn’t the prettiest game of football, but I’d rather leave with a point than plaudits for ‘nice’ football and an empty pocket.”
European ‘pressure’
With the Toffees still level on points with today’s opponents, who are one place above them in seventh, the media conversation has now shifted toward a potential return to Europe. Moyes admitted that this type of questioning is now inevitable and has alluded to it being an exciting but daunting prospect.
“The thought of getting them back into Europe makes me think it would be fantastic for the support here, the club, and everything they’ve been through recently,” said Moyes. “If you would have given me this position at the start of the season, I’d have said ‘thanks very much, I’ll shake your hand.’ If you really want to get the big prizes, you have got to win your games at the right time at the end of the season.”
The day’s standout performers…
Moyes singled out the performance of Jordan Pickford, who has shown the form you’d expect of the England number one all season, and spoke too of the importance of having Iliman Ndiaye fit after a recent injury scare.
The draw leaves Everton in 8th, just three points adrift of Liverpool, who have also played 32 games, and seven behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. Everything is still to play for.
