Everton manager David Moyes has highlighted the progress of clubs like Brentford and Bournemouth as examples for his team to follow in the Premier League. Despite Everton’s long-standing history in England’s top flight — with a record 123 seasons — the club’s recent performances have been lackluster, recording bottom-half finishes in each of the last five seasons and securing a top-four spot only twice since their last league title in 1987.

In contrast, Bournemouth and Brentford, with significantly shorter tenures in the Premier League, have achieved notable success. Bournemouth, a top-flight team for nine years, finished sixth last season, while Brentford, with 10 years at the highest level, ended the campaign in ninth place.

Moyes acknowledged the achievements of these clubs, urging Everton to adopt a similar mindset and approach in order to improve their standing. “We see how well the likes of Bournemouth and Brentford are doing,” he said. “So there’s no reason why we all shouldn’t have those ambitions to try to at least match those clubs and how they go about it.”

Everton’s recent struggle to challenge for the upper echelons of the league reflects a broader challenge within the club as it seeks to regain competitiveness in a Premier League increasingly dominated by teams with robust financial backing and strategic planning. Moyes’ comments suggest a recognition of the need for adaptability and learning from the models employed by smaller clubs that have managed to exceed expectations in recent years.