Alan Shearer has named an Everton star in his Premier League team of the week after their 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace.
The Toffees have shown much-improved form since the return of David Moyes at Goodison Park and they now sit 13 points above the relegation zone.
Carlos Alcaraz’s 80th-minute goal on Saturday (15 February) proved to be the difference as Everton saw off Palace at Selhurst Park.
Alan Shearer wowed by Carlos Alcaraz at Everton
Although Moyes didn’t have the space to do too much business in the winter transfer window, the Blues did gain the services of Alcaraz who joined on loan initially from Flamengo.
There were some concerns that this would not be enough, especially with the Toffees really lacking at the top end of the pitch with injuries.
Ahead of Moyes’ return, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Beto and Armando Broja had scored just four goals between them across the campaign.
Therefore, when Calvert-Lewin and Broja picked up injuries, there were naturally worries surrounding the firepower Everton had available.
However, worries about this have been put to bed with Beto scoring four goals in his last three games.
It was Alcaraz who provided the assist for Beto’s goal which gave the Blues the lead in the 42nd minute before he went on to score the winning goal too.
As a result, Shearer named him in his Premier League team of the week, saying: “Produced the perfect assist for Beto and showed superb composure to score Everton’s winner.”
Carlos Alcaraz making the perfect start at Everton
Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace was the 22-year-old’s full debut for the Toffees and he certainly showed his manager why he deserves to retain his place.
You can understand why there may have been concerns over whether this sole signing would be enough for the Merseyside outfit in the winter window but with the way things are going under Moyes, it certainly seems as though there are no worries needed.
As Shearer says, Alcaraz provided the perfect assist for the in-form Beto and if those two players can create a good relationship on the pitch, they could continue to be exactly what Everton were crying out for at the top end of the pitch this term.
Although the manager has lifted the optimism at Goodison, supporters watching their new signing will surely be feeling excited about what the future has to bring as they look towards life at Bramley-Moor Dock.
The Toffees need to keep their cool as they look to secure their Premier League survival this term. However, if this is the form supporters can expect going forward, it will surely be an achievable task.
