Everton’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace keeps European qualification hopes alive but under heavy pressure. David Moyes’ team twice led at Selhurst Park yet failed to close the gap on seventh-place Brighton. Everton now sit four points behind, with two league matches left to protect a possible European route.
The draw extends Everton’s winless Premier League run to five games, their worst sequence since a six-match spell between February and April 2025. Moyes accepts the situation is delicate, but insists belief remains. Everton must win both remaining fixtures and also depend on other results across the table.
Moyes felt the match swung on fine details at both ends. Everton led 1-0 and later 2-1, but Crystal Palace responded each time. Clear openings
were wasted by both sides during an open second half, with the contest at times looking more like a high-scoring cup tie than a tight league meeting.
"It's amazing that we are actually talking about Everton possibly being in Europe with two games to goand we're not out of it yet, he said.It's getting tougher every game we're not winning. We did OK. We gave up some chancesthe game could have been 4-4 or 5-5 at one point. We are trying to win at the moment, but we missed some big chances to make it 2-0. They did as wellbut we had a chance to go 2-0, and we didn't take it. Credit to Crystal Palace, they stuck in. "
Everton’s attacking effort again relied on the in-form Beto, who scored for the fifth straight league match. Beto is carrying much of the scoring load during this late push for Europe. The forward also reflected the wider mood in the squad, mixing regret with determination after the final whistle.
"It is a little bit disappointing to get one pointbut the game was really difficult. They had really good system. They have good players and a good manager. It is always difficult to come down here to play. We are still fighting. We need to keep going and try to win the next two games. You can say it was a missed opportunity, but we are still in it, so we just need to focus on the next game. "
FT. A point on the road. [2-2] #CRYEVE pic.twitter.com/pcHkEzx8RTEverton (@Everton) May 10, 2026
For Crystal Palace, the draw followed a demanding week in Europe. Palace defeated Shakhtar Donetsk to reach the Conference League final, yet that success has not carried into domestic form. Palace are winless in four Premier League matches and have struggled to back up midweek European fixtures in the league.
Recent numbers underline those difficulties. Palace have won only one of six league games played directly after European ties, drawing three and losing two. Across all competitions, Palace have five wins from their last 12 fixtures, and four of those victories came in Europe rather than in Premier League action.
"I am pleased with the performance, especially in the second half, he said.In the end, it felt like Everton played three days ago. We created so much pressure, created chances and missed a few. I am really proud of the team's effort today and the belief we had and also the mentality to play for a win. I think it was a huge performance. "
"We came back two times, and I think we deserved that point, added Jean-Philippe Mateta, who climbed off the bench to score the hosts' second equaliser. We wanted to win today, and we nearly did. We were one point away and never gave up. That's why I'm happy to be with this team. "
The match leaves both clubs with mixed feelings: Everton still chasing European qualification from a testing position, Palace gaining credit for resilience without improving league form. With two Premier League games left, Everton’s route into Europe now depends on perfect results and favourable outcomes from rivals’ fixtures.
