Everton head into Saturday's Premier League clash with Brentford with genuine momentum and a clear target in sight: European qualification for the first time since 2017. Currently sitting just behind the Bees in a congested mid-table, the Toffees are on the hunt for a coveted spot in continental competition.

The season's journey has been a rollercoaster. A tough 4-2 home defeat to Brentford back in January sparked a difficult spell, featuring a chaotic draw with Wolves and a historic penalty shootout exit from the FA Cup against Sunderland. However, Sean Dyche's side has shown impressive resilience.

A series of strong away victories at Aston Villa, Fulham, and Newcastle steadied the ship. More crucially, the Blues have rediscovered their form at Goodison Park, ending a worrying home winless streak with a win over Burnley before delivering a statement 3-0 triumph against Chelsea in their last outing. That performance by the Mersey waterfront has truly reignited belief.

The ambition for Europe is no secret. Manager Sean Dyche has openly stated his target is to steer Everton back towards European football, a goal that seemed distant during the season's tougher patches. While he may play down expectations publicly to manage pressure, the recent results speak volumes about the team's focus and growing confidence as they enter the final stretch of the campaign.