David Moyes’ return to Everton has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Until mid-January, Everton was hovering just a point above the drop zone, with only three wins in their first 19 Premier League fixtures. Halfway through the season, Sean Dyche’s Merseyside Blues were struggling.
So Dyche was sacked and Moyes was brought in. And against all odds, Moyes has stabilized the ship in just about a month!
With an impressive run of four wins and a draw in six games, Everton now sits 13 points above the relegation zone and just seven points shy of the top half of the table.
Since his appointment, Moyes has picked up 13 points—the joint-most of any team, alongside Arsenal. Even league leaders Liverpool haven’t matched that, picking up just 11 points in the same span.
This remarkable turnaround has left Everton fans overjoyed. And while celebrating their revival, an amusing pattern emerged in their victories.
Since Moyes took charge, Everton’s wins have come against Tottenham, Brighton, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace. What do all these clubs have in common?
They all have birds in their crests.
Once fans noticed this odd but fun detail, they took to X (formerly Twitter) to spread the word. AI-generated images of Moyes surrounded by different birds started circulating in good humor.
One user dubbed him “The Bird Catcher,” listing the birds Everton had taken down—Eagles (Palace), Seagulls (Brighton), Cockerels (Spurs), and Liver Birds (Liverpool).
Another user added a fox to the mix, pointing out Everton’s recent victory over Leicester City too.
It’s safe to say the “Bird Catcher” memes have brought a sense of joy and camaraderie among Evertonians. After all, they haven’t had much to celebrate this season, so maybe, just this once, Twitter should let them have their fun.
To add on, Moyes’ return to Goodison Park has been a story in itself. Having managed Everton for 11 years between 2002 and 2013, the club turned to him in their time of crisis. And how has he responded? By pulling them out of trouble.
Barring any drastic downturn, Everton looks safe from relegation.
They sit 14th in the league table—just one point above 15th-placed Manchester United and level on points with Tottenham Hotspur.
However, in this case, it’s less about Everton doing something special and more about United and Spurs enduring their worst seasons imaginable.
So, what’s next for Moyes?
Well, their next four fixtures include home games against Manchester United and West Ham, along with away trips to Wolves and Brentford. On paper, all winnable games—at least, that’s how the Toffees will see it.
But the real test comes after that. Everton then faces Liverpool and Nottingham Forest away, followed by home clashes against Manchester City and Arsenal.
With 13 games still to go, Everton should realistically push for a top-half finish.
That would be a fitting farewell to Goodison Park.
