Beto netted his fourth Premier League goal of the season for Everton to help secure all three points on Tyneside.
The Guinea-Bissau international reacted quicker than anyone else to smash Everton into a 2-1 lead against Newcastle just seconds after the Magpies had equalised, as Nick Pope embarrassingly spilled a shot from Dwight McNeil.
It was a significant moment for Beto – who David Moyes has given just nine Premier League starts to this season – and Martin Keown was eager to praise the Everton No.9 for his sharpness in front of goal after receiving plenty of criticism this season.
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Full time score between Newcastle United and Everton.
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Martin Keown lauds Beto for being “the only one” alert to Nick Pope mistake
The Everton misfit is making a habit of following in to score.
Beto salvaged a point for the Toffees in the recent 1-1 draw at Brighton by scoring a very similar goal after a mistake from Bart Verbruggen, and Keown was keen to praise the man born in Lisbon for his alertness.
The man who made 119 appearances for Everton said while speaking on BBC Final Score: “I just wanted to give a compliment to Beto because everyone seems to have a little bit of a go at him.
“He’s involved in the build up and when the shot from Dwight McNeil comes off the keeper, it is poor from Nick Pope but he (Beto) is the only one reacting. There should be defenders there but they’re not, Beto is there first.”
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The 28-year-old could be playing for his future at Everton in the second half of this season, amid reports The Friedkin Group plan to sell him and sign a new striker to compete against Thierno Barry.
However, delivering more performances like this may well keep Beto at the Hill Dickinson Stadium – where he will only have 12 months remaining on his contract at the end of the season.
65th minute moment showed why David Moyes is often reluctant to lean on Beto
Anyone who watched the first hour at St James’ Park would have wondered why Beto only has nine Premier League starts to his name this term. He was dogged, determined, ran the channels and netted a predatory goal.
However, the former Udinese man has a lack of calmness on the ball which holds him back.
That was evident in the 65th minute as Beto raced clear on goal, only to needlessly smash his effort powerfully against the crossbar instead of a calm, slotted finish.
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Newcastle United v Everton - Premier League
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Had that strike found the net, it would have made the final 25 minutes a lot easier for Everton, but Beto’s fellow striker Thierno Barry was fortunately able to spare his blushes with a late winner.
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