View: Moyes to be gutted as Everton risk missing out on golden European opportunity

Everton are running the risk of missing out on a golden European opportunity, with the season potentially set to fizzle out.

After a devastating defeat in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, the Toffees fell once again, losing 2-1 against West Ham at the London Stadium.

Much like the derby, David Moyes‘ side would fight back to draw level, before Callum Wilson sealed all three points for the Hammers in stoppage time.

With two defeats on the bounce, Everton’s European ambitions have been dented once again, while others around continue at pace.

With a clash against title-chasing Manchester City coming up, the Blues are potentially on the way to blowing a big opportunity handed to them this season.

European hopes take another hit as Everton fall to West Ham loss

After a tumultuous few years battling at the wrong end of the Premier League, Moyes has revitalised the club since his return.

At the start of the year, Toffees fans would have taken a relatively simple mid-table finish, though the hopes of Europe have well and truly taken over in recent months.

With just how tight the top flight has been this term, Everton have found themselves in a race for continental football for the first time since 2017.

And with a big 3-0 win against Chelsea on the eve of the recent international break, the thought was that the Toffees were one of the favourites to go on and claim a spot.

The simple fact of the matter is that Europe has been there for the taking this season, with the opportunity itself being something that Moyes and his side simply had to take.

It is not the most talented of squads, nor is it full of options from the bench, but the chance was there.

Now, the risk is there of the season fizzling out completely, while the wait for a return to Europe goes on.

European football would have transformed Everton

Moving to Hill Dickinson Stadium last summer, the Merseyside outfit are a club back on the up after the aforementioned period scrapping at the bottom.

With a new stadium, the statement signing of Jack Grealish, and the placement in the race for Europe, the Toffees were beginning to look like a side capable of shifting through the gears in the coming years.

Ahead of the summer transfer window, spot in either the Europa League or Conference League would have brought financial rewards for Everton, while the Merseyside club itself enters a new stratosphere when it comes to attracting talent.

Instead, the building becomes more difficult once again, with the lack of continental football being a huge red flag for players making moves.

As proven by Aston Villa in recent years, a European venture can bring about huge rewards when it comes to the further progression of the club.

And Villa in particular would be a model to follow, with Unai Emery’s side now regular competitors at the thick end of the standings.

Should this season fizzle out, this progression could slow on Merseyside, as Everton look to escape the grasps of the mid-table chaos.

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

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