Amid the highs and lows of last season, the question on every Evertonian's lips is: What can David Moyes do to uplift the Toffees this season? The journey of the past season had its peaks, notably with the acquisitions of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, whose impacts were palpable from the get-go. Grealish, a loan signing, seamlessly grafted himself into the fabric of the squad, while Dewsbury-Hall emerged as a consistent match-winner. The striking duo of Thierno Barry and Beto finally found their footing, contributing significantly to the mid-season optimism that swirled around Goodison Park.

The zenith of this optimism was a resounding 3-0 victory over Chelsea on March 21, which positioned Everton tantalizingly close to the Champions League spots. But just as the blue half of Merseyside started to dream big, calamity struck. Everton catastrophically failed to secure a single win in their last seven matches, concluding with a 2-2 draw at Brentford on April 11, which heralded a stark and untimely drop in form. Throughout this dismal run, Everton jarringly ranked among the bottom three in terms of performance.

The implosion was complete when Sunderland, a team freshly promoted, left an indelible mark by beating Everton 3-1 in the final home match of the season. This match not only dashed Everton's slim European hopes but also highlighted the stark contrast in trajectories between the two clubs, with Sunderland clinching a European spot for the first time in over half a century.

With a consecutive 13th-place finish under Moyes since his return in 2025, the sentiment around his stewardship is decidedly mixed. The initial optimism has been clouded by a series of underwhelming performances, leaving fans and pundits alike pondering his next move. As Moyes looks ahead, key areas for enhancement are clear: maintaining consistency, shoring up defence, and imbuing the squad with a resilient mentality capable of withstanding the pressures of the Premier League.

The journey forward for Everton is fraught with challenges but not without hope. The club's rich history, filled with moments of triumph over local rivals and memorable seasons, should serve as inspiration. The return of European football to Goodison Park is a must, and with strategic tweaks and a united spirit, Moyes's men might just summon the echoes of glory past.

As we gear up for another roller coaster ride of a season, here’s a little jest for our friends from Liverpool: How many Liverpool fans does it take to change a light bulb? None! They're too busy reminiscing about the past to fix the present!