Everton fans might not have dared dream of European football at the start of the season, but after a gritty draw with Manchester City, the Toffees are still "just about" in the hunt. Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside, lifelong supporter Peter McPartland shared a mix of cautious optimism and grounded realism about the team's late-season push.

"Let's get it to that last game of the season," McPartland said. "If we can get seven points from the last three, then we've had a go. That points tally is what a lot of people would have been asking for at the beginning of the season."

The key, he explained, is keeping the race alive until the final whistle. That final showdown against Tottenham could be a dramatic decider, with Spurs under immense pressure to stay in the Premier League. "It will be disappointing if we do miss out on Europe," McPartland admitted, "but I don't think loads of people were talking about Europe at the beginning of the season. They were just talking about having a good season, staying well away from the relegation zone, and having something to build on in the summer."

Monday's thrilling draw with City wasn't without controversy—fans were left frustrated by stoppage time decisions and a potential second-half penalty that went unanswered. But McPartland saw the bigger picture, praising the performance and the work of manager David Moyes.

"Moyes isn't a miracle worker," he explained. "He's not going to make these players amazing. We've got where we are this season with structure, not by having amazing footballers. Look at other teams—you think, 'oh, this player's missing, that player's missing.' We don't have that one player you rely on. We just slot another player in and hope he can do the job. And generally, they do. It's more about the team."

For Everton, it's been a season of steady progress and quiet ambition. Whether they clinch a European spot or not, the foundation is clearly being laid. And for fans like McPartland, that's something worth celebrating—whether it's on the pitch or in the stands, wearing the royal blue with pride.