When Beto first arrived at Goodison Park in 2023, there was genuine optimism among fans. His size, power, and history of disruptive forward play promised a fresh dimension to Everton’s attack. Yet that early hope fizzled out somewhat during Sean Dyche’s tenure. Limited game time and Dyche’s reluctance to tailor tactics to Beto’s physical style left the Portuguese striker looking like a square peg in a round hole—his technical shortcomings magnified by a system that never quite played to his strengths.

Fast-forward to January 2025, and with David Moyes back at the helm, the contrast in approach is already evident. Rather than forcing Beto to fit into an unyielding formation, Moyes has begun to tweak the system—granting the target man more support from midfield and licence to play in the areas where he’s truly effective. It’s a shift that could tap into the same managerial nous that helped transform Yakubu into a devastating goal-scorer years ago.

Renewed Hope Under Moyes

1. System Tweaks
Moyes’s mantra has always hinged on maximising the strengths of his centre-forward. We saw it when he gave Yakubu the freedom to drop deep, spin off defenders, and capitalise on quick support from midfield. Now, in Beto, Moyes sees a similarly powerful focal point who thrives on direct service and well-timed through-balls. By adjusting team shape and encouraging more vertical, faster transitions, the manager is creating environments where Beto’s imposing attributes can be unleashed.

2. Emphasis on Delivery
One of the biggest critiques during Dyche’s reign was the lack of tailored supply to Beto’s feet or into channels he could attack. Moyes, however, believes in providing plenty of crosses and incisive passes—something that’s already begun paying dividends, if Beto’s link-up with James Garner is anything to go by. Garner’s superb through-ball for Beto’s Leicester goal exemplified the type of direct, purposeful service the striker needs to flourish.

Overcoming Early Doubts

Initially, supporters welcomed Beto with open arms, expecting an immediate impact. When that spark didn’t materialise under Dyche, criticisms about his first touch and composure began to surface. Yet as many robust strikers have shown over the years, even a slight tactical tweak can convert “technical limitations” into hidden strengths.

  • Physical Dominance: Beto’s towering frame and willingness to scrap can be a nightmare for defenders, provided he’s not left isolated up top. Moyes’s recent adjustments, ensuring midfield runners and wide players push closer to him, prevent the kind of lone-battle scenarios that once hindered his contribution.
  • Movement in the Channels: He may not be a dribbling wizard, but Beto’s direct running is extremely effective when given space to exploit. Under Moyes, overlapping full-backs and quicker midfield transitions are creating those gaps he can surge into.

James Garner’s Influence

No discussion of Beto’s resurgence would be complete without mentioning James Garner. The young midfielder has emerged as a key provider, capable of fizzing through-balls between the lines or sending inviting crosses from deep. His pinpoint assist against Leicester was arguably one of the finest passes seen at Goodison in recent memory. Where Dyche’s approach rarely saw Garner afforded the freedom to pick out those runs, Moyes’s system encourages him to scan for Beto’s bursts and feed the ball early.

What’s Next for Beto?

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin out and Chermiti still troubled by fitness concerns, Beto is not just an option—he’s THE option. The one recognised senior striker in the squad shoulders the burden of delivering goals. It’s a significant responsibility, but one that could prove formative:

  • Confidence Building: Goals beget confidence, and confidence begets more goals. The more Beto features in a system that suits him, the likelier he’ll be to bury the criticism over his perceived technical flaws.
  • Growing Partnership: Iliman Ndiaye’s skill, Garner’s vision, and the soon-to-debut Carlos Alcaraz could form a creative network behind Beto. Should those connections strengthen, Beto’s role as the focal point grows ever more potent.

From Underdog to Undeniable?

David Moyes is no stranger to nurturing strikers who were initially doubted or misunderstood. Yakubu’s story stands as a testament: once given a framework that complemented his style, he became one of Everton’s most feared forwards in recent history. Beto may not be precisely the same type of player, but the common denominator is a manager who knows how to empower a bruising forward.

A few good performances won’t erase all scepticism, but the signals are encouraging. By granting Beto a consistent run of matches and shaping tactics around his physical gifts, Moyes is already reigniting the early optimism that surrounded Beto’s signing. If he continues to prove his worth—bagging goals, unsettling defences, and linking effectively with Garner and co.—we might just see a fully realised version of the striker many at Goodison Park hoped for from the outset.

Time will tell if he can repay the renewed faith of the fans and manager alike. But one thing is certain: Beto is no longer that peripheral understudy. Under Moyes’s guidance, he has every chance to step out of the shadows and become a force to be reckoned with in Everton’s front line.

Feed Beto and he will score!

Reader Comments (38)

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James Newcombe
1 Posted 11/02/2025 at 11:04:51
I like Beto, but Yakubu was already the finished article when we bought him - a natural goal scorer. There’s no comparison between the two.
Derek Thomas
2 Posted 11/02/2025 at 22:29:24
Not sure about feed, but on recent evidence - give him a nice through ball to run on to and he'll score more than he misses.
Bob Parrington
3 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:03:35
First few comments on line when Beto arrived were that he thrives on the through ball to run on to. Zip back - this virtually never happened under Dyche. Bad results for Beto. Zip forward to Moyes and, guess what, Garner uses the through ball and, eh voila, Beto scores.
Do I need to say more?
John Pickles
4 Posted 12/02/2025 at 18:03:25
On an Arsenal item on Sky Sports it notes that Forwards, Mariano Diaz, Maxi Gomes & Kemar Roofe are all available on a free transfer.

To those in the know, Robert, Sam etc. would any of these be A: interested in us and B: worthwhile?

Jim Bennings
5 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:04:38
Yakubu was ice cool in front of goal.

In terms of natural finishing prowess I put only Lukaku and Saha on the same level as Yakubu.

Sorry Beto, load of endeavor and pops up with the unpredictable, but Yak? Nope

Peter Smith
6 Posted 12/02/2025 at 19:22:30
Agree with the need to give Beto the right kind of service. But no comparison with the Yak. The Yak was a proper footballer.
Paul Kernot
7 Posted 13/02/2025 at 00:50:46
Updating the comments above, I just watched the derby draw. Branthwaite this time with a sublime through ball from a free kick that completely caught the shite's defence napping. Beto however obviously knew what was coming, skipped back onside, changed angle and was one on one with Alison. Calmly slotted it under the keepers dive. Brilliant training ground routine in action.
Nicholas Ryan
8 Posted 13/02/2025 at 11:04:18
Calvert Lewin is an accomplished footballer who generally doesn't score. Beto is an appalling footballer who generally does. Take your pick!
Mike Gaynes
9 Posted 13/02/2025 at 23:48:00
Beto an "appalling" footballer? No, he is not. He appears awkward because of that loping giraffe stride, but he has a proper first touch, can pick a pass and uses his strength well. This isn't Niasse we're talking about here. Beto is a quality professional.
Sam Hoare
10 Posted 14/02/2025 at 10:22:54
The Yak was a pretty consistent and smooth striker. I'm not sure Beto is quite that. It may be that Victor Anichebe is a better comparison.

That being said the derby was the first time that Beto has started 3 matches in a row for Everton. Consistency is crucial for any player but especially for strikers. His touch and hold-up play are both looking better as you might expect.

He now has a goal every 100 minutes or so this season, admittedly from a small sample size but still it is bettered only by Salah this season. Let's hope he can keep finding the back of the net for us and make his many detractors eat their words!

Paul Hughes
11 Posted 14/02/2025 at 13:40:39
The Yak was the best finisher I've seen, Lineker, Latchford, Sharp and Cahill included.
Beto will never be in that class, but as he demonstrated against the RS, he can disrupt the opposition in a way the Yak could never do.
Dave Abrahams
12 Posted 14/02/2025 at 13:57:53
Sam (10), No Sam Beto will not make this detractor eat his words, he is a crap footballer but if he keeps scoring then he is doing a great job and that will do me but no matter how many goals he scores they won’t make him any better as a footballer, same as Linacre a great goalscorer but a puddin’ as a footballer.
Andrew Keatley
13 Posted 14/02/2025 at 14:19:05
What I like about Beto is his desire to graft in all areas. He is a striker who continually looks to bend his runs and get in behind the defence, is happy to come short and link up play, and will also compete well in the air and generally make a nuisance of himself. While all strikers should have all of these qualities most do not. He is also strong and quick, even if he generally looks ungainly.

What I don't like about Beto is that as a professional footballer his ability on the ball is inconsistent. That unpredictability makes him a potential nightmare for the opposition - but also for his team-mates. He's probably more likely to make a mis-placed pass than do something of exceptional quality.

On balance I'd say that his particular mix of abilities means he may not be at the club for long. But over the last few weeks he has at least shown that he can be effective as a goalscorer - which probably means other sides will be keen to get him in. But after a season and a half of looking like a transfer market mistake this current run of games has at least given him the opportunity to make a massive contribution - and he has more than taken it. I just don't think he is likely to sustain it.

Frank Crewe
14 Posted 14/02/2025 at 15:20:27
All Beto needs is regular football in a side that plays to his strengths. Since Moyes has arrived and started using him properly he's started scoring. Unlike DCL he doesn't panic when put through and hit his shots straight at the keeper. I don't buy all this hold up play stuff. How much hold up play does Haarland, Nunez, Salah, Watkins, Izak etc do? Hardly any because they are too busy scoring. It's up to the other players to keep up with the striker. It is not for him to be beating off defenders while the rest of the side catch up. Hold up play is for route one sides. I want Everton to be better than that.
Brian Williams
15 Posted 14/02/2025 at 15:31:29
He now has a goal every 100 minutes or so this season, admittedly from a small sample size but still it is bettered only by Salah this season.

Yes a very small sample size, which makes the comparison with Salah somewhat ridiculous.

Let's not get carried away and see how he's done after 10 games or so.

Mike Gaynes
16 Posted 14/02/2025 at 15:39:06
Beto was a 10-goal-per-season scorer for two years in Serie A. He's a good, solid, professional striker with pace, physical presence, a cool head and no particular talent or shooting ability. He will never dazzle or put up numbers like Lukaku or the Yak. He is what he is, and that's just fine for now.

Paul #11, come on. The Yak had one great season for us. One. You don't even mention Rom, who scored 87 goals in four seasons for us, and to my eyes blew the Yak away.

Raymond Fox
17 Posted 14/02/2025 at 15:42:30
Beto is like a lot of strikers he wants the ball played through while he is timing his run, he's been much more composed than CL when one on one with the keeper.

The through ball looks simple when it comes off, I'm suprised how few times its attempted.

Beto is 26, he has time to become a better player.

Robert Tressell
18 Posted 14/02/2025 at 15:45:43
Likeable footballer. Stepped up when we needed him to. Good physical attributes and some good quality goals now too.

Now that he's got his chance he'll probably be feeling confident - half the battle for strikers - and you'd expect him to pop up with a few more goals from here. Maybe another 4 ish? Maybe more.

He's never going to be a top class striker. More an 8 to 12 goal striker over the course of a season.

To break the top 8 ish we'll probably need a more talented player but he might be ideal for the time being - while we try to develop a younger more talented player.

And of course we need our wing forwards and attacking midfielders to contribute much more in goals and assists. Its absolutely not all on the strikers.

Sam Hoare
19 Posted 14/02/2025 at 16:18:43
Dave@12, i've never known you to eat your words about anything. No doubt Beto could win the Ballon D'or and you'd still dismiss him as a crap footballer. Ha!

Personally I'd much prefer a crap footballer who does a great job than a great footballer who does a crap one.

He's obviously no Thierry Henry but many of his detractors have dismissed him as useless and I think that was premature, especially given his lack of opportunities. I don't think he will be our striker for a long time but I'm glad he's making the most of his moment now. Hope he can continue it.

Joe McMahon
20 Posted 14/02/2025 at 16:20:28
As others have said, there’s no comparison between the two. Yak was also 16 years ago.
Raymond Fox
21 Posted 14/02/2025 at 20:33:21
One thing you can say for sure, its a damm good job we have had him in the team these recent weekis.
Dave Abrahams
22 Posted 14/02/2025 at 21:15:28
Sam (19) Sam well tell me who I’ve never eaten my words about and I’ll discuss that with you—unless you’re just having a bit of banter with me.

If Beto won the Ballon D’or I’d recognise him as a great footballer but I’d know he’d been to Lourdes to achieve that!

Didn’t I say if he keeps scoring goals then he’s doing a grand job and that would do me?

And I’m also glad he’s making the most of his moment now and I certainly hope he carries on scoring a few more goals and earns a few more points for Everton.

So in conclusion I might not have ate my words about Mr. ( now have a look at that) Beto being a crap footballer but I think I’ve chewed them over quite a bit—don’t you?

Paul Hewitt
23 Posted 14/02/2025 at 21:21:41
I like Beto he scored goals in Italy. Not his fault he was signed by a dinosaur manager. Now he has a proper manager he will show why we bought him.
Kevin Molloy
24 Posted 14/02/2025 at 21:31:02
its funny the way we prefer different strikers. Lukaku's record is undeniable, but I never really enjoyed watching him play. I really like the way Beto passes the ball into the net, he's a proper striker. Lineker never did that, he'd twat it on sight. More effective no doubt, but less graceful. I. suppose Beto most reminds me of that welsh lad from forty years ago, he's obviously not on his level. but similar style.
Sam Hoare
25 Posted 14/02/2025 at 21:37:25
Dave, just banter; as you know we’ve disagreed on a couple of players over the last few seasons.

As for Beto, not sure I’ll be betting on him lofting trophies of any type soon but I imagine he’ll be starting for us till Broja/DCL are match fit again, which might be another month at least. If he scores another couple of goals in that time it will be interesting to see if he can make the position his own. DCL will like leave and Broja has injury issues; with good strikers costing a fortune perhaps he could save us a mint? At any rate if we sell him to upgrade then hopefully he will have added a few million to his price.

Brendan McLaughlin
26 Posted 14/02/2025 at 21:38:25
Ermm... Kevin #24

Howard Kendall's or your opinion on Gary Lineker... difficult?

Or the England managers who normally wouldn't give Everton players the time of day.

Kevin Molloy
27 Posted 14/02/2025 at 21:44:38
aesthetically speaking Brendan, aesthetically speaking.
Brendan McLaughlin
28 Posted 14/02/2025 at 21:48:17
Kevin #27

Your lisp is no excuse!😊😊😊

Kevin Molloy
29 Posted 14/02/2025 at 22:02:08
no wisp, but the stutter's a f-
Robert Tressell
30 Posted 14/02/2025 at 22:11:10
Sam, you've been a defender of Beto for some time. I think we might be beginning to see a player well suited for a Moyes team in development. When I pointlessly wonder what the shape of next season's team looks like, it always has a new striker up top. But in the last week or two I've been thinking - let's just make the most of Beto for another year or two (limitations and all) and develop Chermiti and maybe some talented younger strikers - like, say, Pepi or someone really random like Turgeman. That might be our best way of getting someone genuinely good. It's what Bournemouth are trying to do with Kroupi, I think. Finding someone with genuine Champions League talent - but who needs a club to invest in his development before he can flourish.
Sam Hoare
31 Posted 15/02/2025 at 07:40:57
Robert, yes, both of us point out frequently on here how hard and expensive it is to find a striker who will guarantee goals in the PL. And the big anomaly to that this season, Chris Wood, is a player that many on here scoffed at when linked.

It will be very interesting to see this summer which positions are addressed as a priority. Full back would have seemed the obvious area but O’Brien has been incredibly solid initially and even Mykolenko has stepped up his game.

I also have imagined a new first choice striker but it will depend on who is available and Beto’s performances over next month or so. As for a young prospect I guess they hope they already have that in Chermitti?

Pepi could be an interesting option and I’ve been looking at Thierno Barry and Ivanovic at Union Gilloise and Emegha at Toulouse are having a good seasons. Funny that Moise Kean will probably be one of the most sought after strikers this summer!

Andrew Merrick
32 Posted 15/02/2025 at 08:34:01
Are we seeing Beto at his best now, or is he just settling in ?
Let's find out now he's getting a run of games...
He's not a Lukaku, and not yet a Yak, but we have to "Feed the bull" to find out.
Beto on the charge is a fine sight to my eyes, he worries defenders, he can take the knocks, his long stride covers a lot of ground quickly, and he can finish, what's not to like?
Dave Abrahams
33 Posted 15/02/2025 at 10:34:06
Sam (25), Yes we have had our little disagreements over the merits of certain players—Obleedinnana was one of them!

Back to Beto he can stay as long as he likes while he’s still making the net bulge with his goals, I could never fault his commitment and that’s a big plus for me, his ball control makes me laugh and a laugh is a tonic, Johan Cruyff did a wonderful turn on the ball it was his own invention, Beto did one on the byline the other night—well it was a half turn the other half went out of play as he tried to control it, I think the crowd enjoyed it, comical and they understood him.

So for me it’s carry on as you are Beto lad and let’s see your celebration dance tonight as you slot another one and slot one at Anfield next month in front of snotty Slot!

Steve Shave
34 Posted 15/02/2025 at 16:04:21
I am really pleased for Beto, he could still make it for us here and turn into a bit of a cult hero. He certainly has power and passion to win over the more cynical fans.

Agree with others though, he is a different player to Yak who was already a scoring machine when he came.

I would like to see Beto stay and we get another striker as well in the summer. New contract for Brainthwate and an extension for Gana.

We have to buy alot of players so hopefully there are a few gems unearthed alongside a few quality signings who can slot straight in. I imagine we will go hard out for a free signing too if there is that option.

Sam Hoare
35 Posted 15/02/2025 at 21:52:48
Dave, maybe Beto did make a pilgrimage after all! Another good day for him let’s see how long he can keep it up for.
Tony Abrahams
36 Posted 15/02/2025 at 22:03:51
I liked The Yak, because he definitely knew how to play football, but I think it would have taken Yakubu, half a dozen games to do the running Beto did tonight, Ben!
James MacGlashan
37 Posted 16/02/2025 at 10:50:20
He had a superb game yesterday. Should have had 2 mind. But he was everywhere. Showed strength, great hold up play, awareness and some great touches. He was brilliant.
Dave Abrahams
38 Posted 16/02/2025 at 11:56:25
Sam (35) Yes Sam definitely a better all round game from him yesterday, I’ve given him due praise on another thread.

I don’t think he’s been to Lourdes but I’m sure Fate has intervened for him because without the injuries to the other strikers he wouldn’t have been selected for these games he was the last man standing and as you stated yesterday he is certainly making these games count for him.

Long may it continue along with his goals.

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