David Moyes admits Everton must win ‘big games’ to secure Europe

David Moyes has admitted Everton must start winning “big games” if they are to secure European qualification, as Manchester United prepare to visit Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The Blues sit eighth in the Premier League and remain firmly in the European conversation, but six of their final 12 fixtures come against sides currently above them in the table.

Moyes believes the club’s focus has shifted from survival to ambition.

“I think last year the nine games I had to play, I was thinking: ‘My goodness, how am I going to get any wins to stay in the Premier League?’” he said.

“I think the challenge now is can we change mentality, can we change the whole direction we’re going in? We’re not going to be that team anymore, fighting relegation, we’re a team who are planning to try and challenge the teams in Europe.

“To do that, we’re going to have to win some big games in the run-in. We’re in a batch of big games.”

Everton are close to full strength, with only Jack Grealish unavailable, but Moyes highlighted scheduling inconsistencies as another hurdle.

“We might have 10 or 12 days off, then suddenly we might have three games in eight days. We’ve certainly got hard games to come.”

Everton won the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in November, becoming the first team to beat Manchester United in a Premier League game there after having a player sent off.

Moyes sees that result as proof his side can compete with elite opposition.

“The big thing I’ve wanted us to do was to make sure we were competitive with the so-called bigger teams,” he said.

“We’ve not won all the games, but I think we have been competitive… the three points at Old Trafford was a huge boost.”

With Arsenal recently surrendering a two-goal lead against Wolves, Moyes also stressed how unforgiving the league has become.

“Unless you’re actually sitting in the seat as the manager of one of the clubs, you’re not understanding how difficult the games are,” he said.

“People think you turn up and roll teams over. The games are so, so difficult.”

Everton have failed to win their last six home matches, making Monday’s encounter pivotal.

Supporter group The 1878s are planning a pre-match display to energise the stadium, and Moyes welcomed the backing.

“The people who make football clubs are the supporters,” he said.

“If they can help make a difference on Monday night, that will be very much appreciated.”

With European qualification within reach, the margin for error is shrinking. Everton’s run-in will define whether this campaign becomes one of consolidation — or genuine progression.