View: Everton need to capitalise after Chelsea’s latest humiliation exposes issue

Everton must take advantage after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday evening.

David Moyes‘ side are licking their wounds after the late defeat in the Merseyside derby, but they should be even more concerned after Liam Rosenior’s side’s latest humiliation.

The Stamford Bridge team are on a five-game losing streak in the Premier League, and the Toffees have to capitalise to secure their place in Europe.

It will be difficult as there are only eight points between sixth and 14th in the top-flight, so the Blues could quite easily miss out.

Everton deserve to be playing continental football next season, failure to secure that would be devastating given how close they are.

How Everton could miss out on Europe due to Chelsea

Everton sit 10th in the division at the moment, but they are only three points behind sixth-placed Brighton, who have 50 points and have played an extra game.

The issue is complicated, as it will come down to whether English teams win European competitions and who wins the FA Cup, which tournament the Blues would be in next season if they finish high enough.

If Moyes’ side finished sixth, that would guarantee Europa League, unless Aston Villa won that and finished outside of the top six, which seems unlikely.

Seventh is supposed to be Conference League, but that could shift further down if the FA Cup is won by a team already occupying the Champions League or Europa League spots, so Manchester City or Chelsea.

However, if Rosenior’s charges won that competition but finished outside the top seven, it would mean that the Toffees have to finish seventh or above to qualify for the Europa Conference League, as they would take a place without their league position giving one back.

Why Everton must finish the season with conviction

Everton must ensure that they are definitely in some kind of European football next season.

They need to finish strongly and make sure it is seventh or above, if the Londoners win the domestic cup and don’t finish above eight, which seems like a realistic scenario right now.

Blues fans may well be hoping that Leeds beat Chelsea in their Wembley semi-final as that makes the situation much easier for them, and they do not have to finish as high, and can be more relaxed.

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

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