Moyes issues Everton 'challenge' for European spot

Everton's "challenge" for next season in the Premier League should be to try to finish in a position to qualify for Europe, says manager David Moyes.

The Scot, 61, left West Ham in the summer and returned to take charge of the Toffees for a second spell in January.

Moyes also led the Hammers twice and, in his second stint as boss, they staved off relegation in 2019-20 to finish 16th, before an impressive sixth-placed finish in the following campaign.

West Ham also reached the Europa League semi-finals, before notably winning the Europa Conference League in 2023 to end the club's 43-year wait for a major trophy.

With only three home games left at Goodison Park before the move to their new stadium next season, Moyes wants 15th-placed Everton to rise up to emulate his achievements at London Stadium.

"It was amazing for the club and it transformed West Ham," Moyes told BBC Radio 5 Live. "European tours for the supporters, the money that was getting brought in from the home games and we got to the semi-final of the Europa League.

"I don't really see why we should not attempt to do that here at Everton. That has to be the challenge."

However, a highly competitive top half of the table has 10th-placed Bournemouth still in with a shout of playing in Europe next season.

On Saturday, Everton visit third-placed Nottingham Forest, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, but have defied the odds to put themselves in a strong position to compete in the Champions League next term.

Moyes added: "We are seeing the odd team now maybe having a go such as Bournemouth and Fulham, while Brentford have tried to show over the years that they can get close to it.

"I don't see why we shouldn't try to get ourselves into that group. If we keep playing the way we have been doing, get results, then we will give ourselves every chance."

Everton consistently finished in the top half during Moyes' first spell in charge, going on to compete in Europe.

The side lost their first match upon his return against Aston Villa in January, leaving the side teetering just one point above the drop zone.

Moyes admitted returning to the club 12 years after leaving for Manchester United was a "huge risk" and there were some nights where he "found it really difficult".

But a remarkable turnaround saw Everton go on a run of nine unbeaten games and virtually assured of their safety, 15 points clear of danger with seven matches remaining.

"When we came in, we were saying it would come down to the last three games and how we were going to do to get there," said Moyes.

"Every win makes you feel a little bit better. Before you know it, you are saying, 'this is going great'.

"The confidence of the players picked up as well and some of them have done remarkably well and given us every chance of staying up."