Everton Unbeaten in Five: Moyes Demands More but Refuses to Mention Europe

Everton stay unbeaten in five as Moyes refuses to mention Europe

David Moyes has demanded more from his Everton players despite an unbeaten five-game Premier League start that has taken them fifth. Thierno Barry's 11th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win over 10-man Ipswich at home on Saturday, giving the Toffees nine points from a possible 15.

Score: Everton 1-0 Ipswich Town
League position: Fifth in the Premier League, unbeaten after five games
Points: Nine (two wins, three draws)
Goalscorer: Thierno Barry (11th minute) — his fifth of the season
Ipswich: Reduced to 10 men
Next league fixture: Hull City away on 11 October after the international break

What was said

"We are not using those words this year"
— David Moyes on European qualification

"Not [saying] in front of you people [the media], that's for sure, because we're still preparing ourselves and make sure we can do the best we can. I enjoyed saying the words last year. If you think of what we had done, been relegation material when we came in January [2025], got out and won the games, 12/13 new players had to come in... But the players had done so well, I started to believe that we had a real chance, and it allowed me to be like that."
— David Moyes on whether he has challenged his players to earn European qualification

"We've had draws at Tottenham and Bournemouth away from home and we've done pretty well. Keeping clean sheets is something to be pleased about and try to build on. We've statistically been making more chances and we had 21 shots [against Ipswich], which is very good, but only two on target which isn't very good."
— David Moyes on Everton's start

"The players get huge credit to get to this point, unbeaten in five games. It's really good, but I'm expecting them to do this. If we're thinking 'we're doing a great job because we've gone a few games', no, the manager expects that. I'm actually more disappointed that we aren't scoring more goals. I'm rapping them like you wouldn't believe - why are we not getting better crosses into the box, better finishes, shooting from the edge of the box, not scoring more? That's the only thing we're missing from being a half-decent side."
— David Moyes on his demands

"I heard a lot of things [said] that last year was not so good and I thought 'my goodness, I don't know what the people are talking or writing about because it's absolute baloney'. It was fantastic what we did and we came so close to doing something that would have been incredibly special after no money, being on the verge of relegation, moving to a new stadium - and it has never been an easy job for anyone moving to a new stadium - so we came really close."
— David Moyes on last season

"Nothing surprises me with a David Moyes side. They're so well organised, so well motivated and always dangerous when their backs are against the wall. There's been a lot of discontent among the fanbase regarding the owners and a transfer policy that left themselves short in forward areas. But the rest of the side is so well balanced, they all know their jobs, they know what they're doing and that backline with the keeper behind it is really solid. So, I never thought it was a catastrophe that they didn't get a striker in. Because they're so well organised and defensively so good, they're always going to nick results when they're not playing well. I do understand the fans' frustration, but I didn't think for a second they'd be in any danger because they didn't get cover in for their forwards. It is a thin squad, but they've still got quality."
— Danny Murphy, former England midfielder and BBC pundit

"You have to dig in, that's the Everton way. We are building momentum and we will be focused and ready to go when we come back. It was a great way to finish the week off."
— Jordan Pickford, Everton goalkeeper

"He works hard and the goals will come from working hard. The first year in the Premier League is always tough. He has found his feet and he has started a lot better this year. It's always good to finish with a win, especially before a long international break."
— Jordan Pickford on Thierno Barry

Moyes is clearly scarred by last season's collapse, when Everton's dreams of a first European experience since 2017-18 evaporated with no wins in their final seven games. He is determined to keep expectations in check, even as his side sits fifth.

The manager's frustration with his team's finishing is evident. Despite creating 21 shots against Ipswich, only two were on target. Moyes believes better crosses, finishes, and shooting from the edge of the box are the only things missing from making Everton a "half-decent side".

The numbers

Premier League record: 5 games, 2 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses — 9 points
Clean sheets: 5 in 7 matches overall
Shots vs Ipswich: 21 (2 on target)
Barry's goals: 5 this season (8 in the whole of last season)
Carabao Cup: Two wins, set up a home last-16 tie against Newcastle in October
Last season: Finished 13th, four points behind Brighton (Conference League) and five off Sunderland (Europa League)
Moyes' return: January 2025, Everton 16th, one point clear of relegation zone

Transfer and squad context

Everton's attacking resources are thin: striker Beto moved to Fiorentina on transfer deadline day, while key attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye joined Manchester City on the same day. Thierno Barry is now the only recognised striker at the club.

Why Moyes is right to demand more from Everton

David Moyes has every reason to be pleased with an unbeaten start, but his insistence on improvement is justified. Everton have kept five clean sheets in seven matches, yet their attacking output remains a concern. Against Ipswich, they managed 21 shots but only two on target — a wastefulness that Moyes knows will cost them against better opposition.

The reliance on Thierno Barry is risky. With Beto gone to Fiorentina and Iliman Ndiaye sold to Manchester City, Everton lack depth up front. Barry has scored five goals this season, already more than half of his eight-goal tally from the entire last campaign. But if he gets injured or loses form, Moyes has no recognised striker to turn to.

Defensively, however, Everton look solid. Jordan Pickford has been dependable behind a well-organised backline, and Moyes' side are one of only five still unbeaten in the Premier League. Their ability to grind out results, as they did against Ipswich, is a hallmark of Moyes' management. But to stay in the top five, they must start converting chances.

Talking points

Everton's unbeaten start is built on defence, but with only two shots on target against Ipswich, can they really challenge for Europe without a prolific striker?
David Moyes is right to temper expectations after last season's collapse, but does his refusal to even mention Europe send the wrong message to his players?
Thierno Barry has stepped up with five goals, but with Beto and Ndiaye gone, Everton are one injury away from a crisis up front — should they have done more in the transfer market?
Danny Murphy says nothing surprises him with a Moyes side, but is fifth place a true reflection of Everton's quality or a result of a favourable fixture list?

What happens next

Everton return to Premier League action on 11 October when they travel to Hull City. Before that, the international break gives Moyes time to work on his side's finishing. With a home Carabao Cup last-16 tie against Newcastle also on the horizon in October, Everton have a chance to build on their strong start — but Moyes will be demanding sharper performances.