It was a brilliant weekend for Everton striker Beto, who now has a Premier League personal best firmly in sight.
Beto starred in Everton’s 3-0 win over Chelsea, with the team giving one of their best performances of the season so far.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium crowd were on top form, inspiring the players and creating an almost Goodison Park-esque feel to the occasion.
It was the kind of performance and result HDS has been waiting for, and Beto certainly played his part.
The striker has had his fair share of critics at Everton, but he’s actually now closing in on his best goalscoring tally.
Beto close to personal goalscoring record as Everton man looks reborn
Beto playing for Everton.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Saturday’s game marked a fourth consecutive Premier League start for Beto.
We know that the 28-year-old is a very hard worker and Moyes has often commented on how humble he is.
The manager clearly felt Beto has been deserving of increased involvement, with Thierno Barry’s impact waning.
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It was a slow start to the current season for Beto, but his impact on the team has been steadily rising, and he now has six goals to his name in the Premier League this season – with five of those coming this calendar year.
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A custom graphic showing a quote from Beto after Everton's win over Chelsea.
It is reminiscent of last season, when Beto became much more productive in the second half of the season.
And in a boost for Everton, there will likely be additional motivation for Beto, because he’s only two goals away from equalling his own best tally in the Premier League.
Last term he finished with eight, and he now has every chance to equal and even surpass that.
Beto’s first season Beto’s second season Beto’s third season (so far)
Appearances – 30 Appearances – 30 Appearances – 31
Minutes played – 941 Minutes played – 1528 Minutes played – 1205
Goals – 3 Goals – 8 Goals – 6
Assists – 0 Assists – 0 Assists – 1
Certainly, if he plays as well as he did against Chelsea he will do it.
And Moyes seems pleased with Beto, so there will likely be lots of opportunities for him in the coming weeks.
But what will be quite important is for Everton to actually play to his strengths.
It’s clear by now that Beto – who cost Everton £26 million in the summer of 2023 (via Guardian) – is at his best when running in behind, so hopefully those supplying him will be on his wavelength.
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