David Moyes has been "dreaming" of leading Everton to Europe for the first time since 2017-18, ahead of facing Conference League finalists Crystal Palace this Sunday. 

Everton are 10th in the Premier League and just four points adrift of sixth-placed Bournemouth with three games of their season remaining, after a late draw against Manchester City last time out.

The Toffees last competed on the European stage eight years ago under Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce, but they were knocked out in the group stage of the Europa League.

And Everton should look no further than this weekend's opponents Palace for inspiration, with the Eagles booking their place in a first major European final after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate, with Rayo Vallecano their opponents in the showpiece on May 27. 

Moyes is, of course, no stranger to winning silverware in Europe, having ended West Ham's 43-year wait for a trophy by guiding them to glory in the Europa League in 2022-23.

"I got a chance to do it with West Ham, and it was amazing. It's very hard to put in words what it feels like," Moyes said.

"I've been sort of dreaming over the years that I could get it for the Everton supporters – that would be what I really want to do.

"I want us to play well, and I think we have done for most of the season.

"I think we've been a more progressive team, trying to play better football, trying to stamp something down which suits us as a team."

But Everton will come up against a Palace side riding the crest of a wave after booking their spot in the Leipzig final, following another dream match at Selhurst Park.

Pedro Henrique's own goal was cancelled out by a stunning finish by Eguinaldo, but Ismaila Sarr sealed their progression past Shakhtar early in the second half as they won the second leg 2-1.

The Eagles became only the third English club to reach the final in their first-ever season in major European competition, after West Ham in the 1964-65 Cup Winners' Cup and Newcastle United in the 1968-69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. 

It also offers the chance for Oliver Glasner to end his Palace career with a trophy, with the Austrian having announced his departure some time ago.

A key part of Palace's success under Glasner has been goalkeeper Dean Henderson, and he acknowledged the difficulties his team had faced over the course of the campaign. 

"It's incredible for the football club. You see the connection between the players and the supporters, it's fantastic. It's unbelievable," Henderson told TNT Sports. 

"The manager came in, made this team believe we could win any game.

"It's been a difficult season, obviously, with the amount of games we've played – but we've delivered another final, which is fantastic.

"It's been difficult, just with the amount of games. We had a small squad leading in December and January, but we've managed to push through now."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Crystal Palace – Daniel Munoz

Munoz has scored four goals in each of his last two Premier League seasons, with only Josko Gvardiol (11) netting more among defenders since his debut in February 2024 than the Colombian's eight.

Against Shakhtar, he finished with team-high totals for chances created (three) and aerial duels (five), and he will be keen to play another key role for Palace here.

Everton – Thierno Barry

Barry has scored three goals as a substitute in the Premier League this season, scoring twice off the bench against Man City last time out.

Only Victor Anichebe in 2011-12 (four) and Oumar Niasse in 2017-18 (also four) have scored more as a sub in a single campaign for Everton.

MATCH PREDICTION: CRYSTAL PALACE WIN

Despite being favoured by the Opta supercomputer, Palace have won one of their last 22 league games against Everton (D9 L12), and are winless in eight since a victory in December 2021 (D2 L6).

The Eagles have also lost their last two Premier League matches, shipping three goals in both (1-3 vs Liverpool, 0-3 vs Bournemouth). They have not lost three in a row while conceding 3+ goals since doing so between October and November 2016.

Since January 16, when Glasner announced he was leaving Palace at the end of the season, the Eagles rank 19th for both shots (145) and shots on target (43) in the Premier League, ahead only of already relegated Burnley (132 shots, 41 on target).

Everton, meanwhile, have lost just two of their 16 Premier League away games against Palace (W8 D6), going down 1-0 in October 1994 and 3-1 in December 2021.

But thanks to losing goals against Liverpool and West Ham, and then an equalising goal from Manchester City, Everton are the first team in Premier League history to concede a 90th minute (or later) result-altering goal in three consecutive matches.

However, they may be confident with Moyes at the helm. The Scot has won six of his eight away Premier League matches against Palace (L2) – he's only won more away games at Aston Villa (seven), while only Jurgen Klopp (eight) and Pep Guardiola (seven) have more away wins at Palace.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Crystal Palace – 42.6%

Draw – 26.7%

Everton – 30.7%