If you wanted a case study on how to let a tired opponent off the hook, look no further than today’s 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park. Facing a Palace side likely still nursing hangovers from their midweek European heroics, Everton once again showed the tactical flexibility of a lamp post.
Another dreadful result from a winning position effectively kills any lingering European pipe dreams.
The Moyesiah’s Mid-Table Mediocrity
Let’s be real: Palace were there for the taking. They’ve played a ridiculous amount of football lately, and we had a week to prepare. Instead of going for the jugular, we sat back after Tarkowski’s early opener and invited them onto us.
The second half was even worse. Despite Beto putting us back in front, the inevitability of the equalizer from Everton tormentor-in-chief Jean-Phillipe Mateta felt like a slow-motion car crash.
We lacked any “dogs of war” mentality to see it out, and the substitutions — or lack thereof — were vintage David Moyes: too little, too late, and too ineffective.
Subs: Thierno Barry (N/A), Tyrique George (N/A), Charly Alcaraz (N/A). Too little, too late..
The Moyesiah Complex
The narrative will be “it’s a tough place to go” and “Palace are a good side.” The reality is we are 10th and drifting. Without Grealish and Branthwaite, the lack of depth and tactical imagination is glaring. We had the fresh legs and the lead twice, yet we settled for a point as if we were fighting relegation.
If this was the “final effort” for Europe, it was a whimper, not a bang. We’re safe, but Moyes is so godamn boring. I really don’t feel like giving him any points.
Reader Comments (7)
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Jim Bennings
3 Posted
10/05/2026 at
16:41:18
I wouldn’t give any one more than a 6 today.
We were overrun at times by a team that played a match on Thursday night, we looked knackered and Moyes reluctance to give games to the likes of George, Aznou, Dibling and the same old tired central defenders at fullbacks like O’Brien which should have been binned last May.
Ndiaye was poor, good footwork, no end product, the old all fart no shit phrase comes to mind.
Dewsbury-Hall was disappointing today and should have killed the game off at 1-0 up.
The Moyes obsession with the Barry for Beto sub is not needed, Beto was fine he was playing well, yet Moyes subs him off and again especially not for the first time away from home, we lose all the impetus fast, ball not sticking.
Another poor season lost and barely any progress made.
Ian Pilkington
5 Posted
10/05/2026 at
16:56:42
Barry was on for an inexplicable 20 minutes which deserves more than a N/A.
I’d give him 3.
And I go along with Michael regarding Moyes. Palace have played 56 competitive matches this season compared to our 39, yet he is unwilling or unable to raise our game against them.
Ian Bennett
6 Posted
10/05/2026 at
16:58:51
The defence is garbage, all of them.
The midfield coughed possession to easily.
The attack couldn’t take their chances.
Subs had zero impact.
Keane & Tarkowski zero. Finger pointing at each other, when a striker pulled off them.
Criminal defending again.
Joe McMahon
7 Posted
10/05/2026 at
17:01:43
The substitutions, and timing of them was textbook Moyes. How on earth will Charly feel? At 63 years of age, hes not going to change is he. He just hasn’t evolved. The treatment of younger players is disgraceful.
Sick to my back teeth of him, and let’s face it this morose bore will be here next season for his 13th as Everton manager.