David Moyes admits Europe is ‘drifting away’ from Everton after draw at Palace

By Robert O'Connor, Press Association

David Moyes admitted Everton’s hopes of qualifying for Europe are drifting away after they twice threw away the lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Jean-Philippe Mateta swept in 14 minutes from time to rescue Palace as two points slipped away in the visitors’ hunt for a top-seven finish.

Beto’s brilliant individual goal had looked for much of the second half like being enough to seal Everton a first win since March 21, but as against Manchester City last week, Everton’s inability to hold out until the end cost them.

“I’ve got to a stage of saying ‘isn’t it great talking about Everton being in Europe after the years we’ve had recently?’,” said Moyes.

“This time last year, most of the questions were about losing 12 players, about to leave Goodison, how do you think this is going to be? The truth is we’ve not had the word relegation too close to us.

“I don’t necessarily see that as success but I see where Everton have come from, I see it as being a step up.”

Beto’s goal at the start of the second half was worthy of being the winner, a wonderful individual effort combining power and deftness of touch with the ball at his feet to finish beyond Dean Henderson.

It came after an open first half had finished level, James Tarkowski tapping Everton into the lead from an early corner before Ismaila Sarr thumped Palace level following a botched attempt by Michael Keane to clear.

Then came a late Palace onslaught and a deserved equaliser from Mateta, firing Tyrick Mitchell’s cutback into the roof of the net to steal a point for the Conference League finalists.

“I’ve enjoyed talking about Europe,” said Moyes. “It’s making Everton supporters dream again, and me, hopefully that it could happen again.

“I’d hoped we can get us to a level where we can be competitive again at European level. It’s not gone yet but it’s drifting away from us at the moment.

“I’m using the word ‘disappointing’ again that we couldn’t hang on. Especially after we went 2-1 up. We probably had a chance to get another goal. I thought in general it could have been 3-3, 4-4. I thought both teams had several opportunities.

“Our keys finishers this season, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye, they’re just both going slightly off the ball as far as their finishing goes. Thankfully, Beto and (Thierno) Barry have stepped up, but I thought today we needed their craft just to get us the winner.”

Palace manager Oliver Glasner, whose side were on a high following Thursday’s semi-final win over Shakhtar Donetsk sent them to a first European final, reflected on a strong finish from his players, nine of whom had started the victory over the Ukrainian side.

“I am pleased with the performance, especially in the second half,” said Glasner. “In the end, it felt like Everton played three days ago. We made so much pressure, created chances and missed a few.

“I am really proud of the team’s effort and the belief we had and also the mentality to play for a win. I think it was a huge performance.”