David Moyes: How Everton boss turned club around and made them Premier League's in-form team

When David Moyes took over at Everton on January 11th, the team was only one point above the Premier League relegation zone, having won just three of their 19 games, a precarious situation. However, just over a month later, the Merseyside club has suddenly become one of the Premier League's form teams, showing remarkable improvement.

The victory at Crystal Palace means Moyes has now collected 13 points since returning to Goodison Park, with no other team earning more in the same period (Arsenal also have 13). The Scot's four wins in six league games also surpass the total achieved by his predecessor, Sean Dyche, in the 19 games before his dismissal, indicating a positive shift in the team's performance.

This remarkable resurgence has seen Everton move 13 points clear of the relegation zone and just seven points from the top half of the table, with 13 games still to play in the 2024-25 season. It would take an extraordinary set of results for the Toffees to be dragged back into the relegation mire, and fans can certainly start looking forward to watching top-flight football at their new stadium, Bramley-Moore Dock, next season.

"It was a great win because, for large parts, we didn't play as well as we can," Moyes told BBC's Match of the Day program after the 2-1 win at Selhurst Park. "I thought Crystal Palace were on top, but thankfully we got the three points." Moyes added, "Everton have been through a difficult time, but I do think there is light at the end of the tunnel now," expressing optimism about the team's future.

Even the most optimistic Everton fans could not have foreseen such a significant upturn in fortunes under Moyes, who managed the club for over 500 games between 2002 and 2013. Prior to his return, the Toffees had scored just 15 goals in 19 league games, their fourth-lowest tally in history, and their expected goals (xG) of 18.33 was the lowest in the league. In just six league games under Moyes, they have already scored 12 goals with an expected goals of 8.12, highlighting a marked improvement in attacking efficiency.

Everton were missing nine first-team players for the game against Crystal Palace due to an injury crisis, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Iliman Ndiaye, and the suspended Abdoulaye Doucoure, making the team's progress even more impressive. Doucoure missed the trip to London after celebrating in front of Liverpool fans following the dramatic conclusion to Wednesday's Merseyside derby, which resulted in his suspension.

Defender James Tarkowski told Sky Sports: "We've definitely improved since the manager has come in. Wins and goals bring back (belief)." He added: "We were down to the bare bones today, plus all the emotion from Wednesday, but we stuck in there and got the win," emphasizing the team's resilience and determination.

When asked about the reasons for Everton's upturn in form, Moyes said: "I don't know if there's any secret. Sometimes in football, you get opportunities, and you have to take them." He continued: "The togetherness between the supporters and the players is much stronger. This is definitely a club that thrives on the support of its fans. Hopefully, we can get them back on our side," underscoring the importance of unity and fan support.

No player embodies the Toffees' improvement quite like Beto, who continued his good form with another goal at Selhurst Park. The Guinea-Bissau forward's opener in South London was his fourth goal in three league games, the same number he managed in 42 appearances under Dyche. The 27-year-old joined Everton from Udinese in August 2023 for a reported £30 million but struggled to adapt to life in England, scoring just three goals in 30 top-flight appearances.

After opening his 2024-25 account in the 1-1 draw with Fulham in October, Beto then went nine league games without scoring until bagging a brace at home to Leicester earlier this month. He calmly opened the scoring in the derby to send Goodison Park into raptures before repeating the trick with another composed finish against Crystal Palace. With Calvert-Lewin set to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, Beto could hardly have picked a better time to hit a rich vein of form.

"What a week it has been," Beto said in his Match of the Day interview. "I'm so happy to score goals (because) last season I wasn't so confident. Now I feel like all the training, all the mental work and everything I do with my teammates is paying off. I believe I belong in the Premier League, I am a Premier League player," expressing his renewed confidence and belief in his abilities.

No one is more pleased with Beto's goalscoring exploits than his manager, with Moyes believing the forward is still "getting better" as Everton climb the table. Moyes said: "His opportunity has come through (other players') injuries. He's probably seen an opportunity to play six or so games. It's up to him to show what he can do. I'm really pleased for him," highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities and praising the player's progress.