Everton remain in a good position for European football despite the defeat to Liverpool, and David Moyes has one of the Premier League’s most in-form players at the moment in striker Beto.
Everton were seconds away from taking a useful point against the Reds on Sunday in the first ever Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Should Everton actually be getting Beto tied down to a new contract? 🤔
He'll only have a year left this summer…
A custom graphic showing a quote from Beto after Everton's win over Chelsea.
But Virgil van Dijk’s header stole the points for the visitors.
It was a real sickener for Toffees fans, who had been on brilliant form the whole game, creating a boisterous atmosphere.
Everton must now pick themselves up and get ready for the visit to West Ham this weekend.
Beto one of the Premier League’s most in-form players
Beto in action for Everton against Burnley
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport via Getty Images
Everton may have lost in frustrating fashion against Liverpool, but there were still positives to take – one being that Beto scored again.
He has had his critics this season.
But the Guinea-Bissau international appears to be coming good at just the right time.
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He’s now scored five goals and made one assist since February 28, which was the start of his latest purple patch against Newcastle United.
As per Match of the Day, his haul of six goal involvements is bettered only by Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes in the same period. The Portuguese midfielder – who is in a good position to win Player of the Season – has eight.
That Beto is rubbing shoulders with him is obviously very encouraging for Everton.
We know that he’s capable of these kinds of purple patches.
And with the Toffees hunting qualification for a European competition, hopefully he can sustain this latest one through until the end of the season.
Beto eyeing personal record
With his goal against Liverpool, Beto has now equalled his best goal tally for Everton in a single season.
But there is still an incentive for him to get more before the season ends.
Obviously he’ll want to fire Everton to Europe, but Beto – who’s said he wants to stay at the club – will also be eyeing the 10 he got last season across all competitions for the Toffees.
Beto playing for Everton.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
The most Beto has managed in a single campaign is 13, which he has done twice.
The first time was for Portimonense in 2019/20, and he achieved that number again for Udinese in 2021/22.
He has nine across all competitions at the moment for Everton, so four more will see him equal his best-ever in a season since turning pro.
Hopefully there’ll be plenty of fire in his belly to get to that figure as Everton will only benefit.
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