Everton’s Fortunes Take Dramatic Turn for the Better as David Moyes Masterminds Stunning Revival

When Sean Dyche left Everton having won just one game from his previous 11, there was an anxious feeling for what was to come at Goodison Park in its final months as the club’s stadium.

At that moment in time, the Toffees were one point above the relegation zone but, after beating Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday, it’s safe to say that David Moyes has led a revolution which now shows Everton in a state of comfort rather than dejection and fear.

A lot of that comes down to the Scotsman’s experience, of course, but, even with absentees who have been key players for his side – including Abdoulaye Doucoure and Iliman Ndaiye, who were both absent for the visit to Palace – he finds a way to make it work which his predecessors have failed in doing.

Beto has now scored nine goals in all competitions this season and seems to have branded his name in Moyes’ strongest side, with new arrival Carlos Alcaraz shining brighter than them all in south London.

Alcaraz joined Everton less than a fortnight ago on loan from Brazilian side Flamengo, but has clearly merited his minutes under Moyes as an immediate impact at the club.

And even when Doucoure returns for their next Premier League game, when they host a struggling Manchester United, there is no doubt that Alcaraz will have a spot in the starting squad, solely judging off his performance on Saturday.

Exciting future ahead for the Toffees

When the Toffees move to Bramley-Moore Docks at the conclusion of this season, a bittersweet feeling will fill the Merseyside air having left behind all memories the club have made behind, including James Tarkowksi’s electrifying 98th minute winner against Liverpool on Wednesday.

But what’s to come for Everton, who have almost certainly avoided relegation this season, is exciting despite a difficult run coming up.

The club’s performances across Moyes’ first seven games back in charge have improved drastically, despite him starting his second spell with a home loss against Aston Villa.

In fact, it’s quite laughable to even consider the fact Everton were a relegation-threatened squad before Moyes rejoined, with them winning four of their seven in all competitions under him so far.

Everton will move to their stadium at the start of the 2025-26 campaign (Photo by PAUL ELLIS / Getty Images)

His ability to make an early impact, stabilise a seemingly broken team and consistently overachieve replicates his first spell with the club.

Moyes took over from Walter Smith in March 2002 and Everton, as they were before Dyche left, were struggling near the relegation zone.

In his first full season, the Toffees finished seventh thanks to a certain Wayne Rooney, who happened to breakthrough during that campaign.

What the Merseyside club won’t be wanting to mirror is the 2003-04 season where they narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 17th and just six points above the drop zone ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Leicester – all of whom went down.

Even though that season was one to forget, Moyes would lead Everton to record-breaking heights in the Premier League the season after, qualifying for the Champions League after finishing fourth in the top-flight.

Maybe the hopes of Everton supporters and Moyes’ undeniable talent as a manager could, one day, push Everton back to those heights – especially in a brand new 52,888 capacity stadium.

But for the time being, the club’s ambitions stand with remaining in the top-flight which, based on their current form, seems more than accomplishable as they strive now for a top-half finish.

Moyes has managed to reap the rewards of vast experience, tactical knowledge and pragmatism, and with a summer transfer window to build on a squad which he has already transformed, provides an excitement about Everton which no one saw coming in the latter months of 2024.