Beto developments shock outsider as Everton impossibility emerges

Beto’s form in recent weeks has been the best of his Everton career by a distance, with the striker finally finding his feet at Goodison Park.

Beto had managed just four Premier League goals before David Moyes’ return to Goodison Park midway through last month but has almost replicated that tally in just a handful of games under the Scot.

Thrown into the limelight as the Toffees’ only fit striker at present, and having pushed hard for a return to Serie A in last month’s transfer window, Beto has now become one of the first names on the team sheet.

A brace against Leicester City and the opener against Liverpool in a fervent Merseyside Derby in midweek leaves him in red-hot form, and he scored again at Crystal Palace.

Everton to sell Beto and bring in new striker' - late-window deals readied

James McFadden ‘surprised’ by Beto improvement at Everton

When asked by Mark Chapman on BBC Radio 5 Live (15 February, 1:44 pm) if he’d expected Everton to pick up so quickly under Moyes, former Toffee James McFadden saw their good run of form coming.

He said: “Yes. I think that the foundation was there in terms of how Everton would be set up – David Moyes builds his teams not to defend, but from a sold base to attack from.

“I’m surprised he’s getting a tune out of Beto – [it] looked like that wasn’t going to be possible. It’s surprising because you could see his running power and he was a player that could cause problems, [but] maybe not being that finisher.

“I felt that actually, the impact would have been on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, if I’m being honest. He knows how to get the best out of his strikers.”

Beto benefitting from David Moyes difference at Everton

While there’s a fair argument to say that had Calvert-Lewin stayed fit rather than picking up a potentially season-ending injury against Brighton, Beto has still grasped his opportunity with both hands.

Calvert-Lewin also experienced a return to form after Sean Dyche’s sacking and Moyes’ appointment last month, with a supremely well-taken goal against Tottenham to show signs that he’s back to his best.

Everton transfers: Striker exit imminent, two replacement options ruled out by sources

That revival, however, was a brief one due to the injury which has left Beto as Moyes’ go-to man up front, with manager and player alike both reaping the rewards amid the season’s best run of form for the Blues.

Beto’s strike against Liverpool – peeling away from Ibrahima Konate as Everton caught them napping at a free-kick – was the sign of a striker playing with all the confidence he’s previously lacked at Goodison.

Evertonians and Moyes will both see Palace as a team there for the taking if Beto is on song, and given his displays and output of late, don’t be surprised to see him adding to his tally once again.

Chris Sutton stunned by what Everton fan said after win v Crystal Palace

Chris Sutton was left stunned by what an Everton fan said to him after the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

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Beto gave the Toffees the lead at Selhurst Park before an early goal in the second half from Jean Philippe Mateta brought things level, with VAR controversy included in the drama for Everton.

It was new signing Charly Alcaraz who popped up with the winner for David Moyes, making it four wins in his last five Premier League games at Everton.

That has clearly got the Toffees’ fans buzzing, with one going wild on live radio.