Beto continued to assert himself as David Moyes’ first-choice striker despite a mixed display in front of goal for Everton in their 2-1 win against Crystal Palace.
Beto pounced to open the scoring late in the first half as Palace were caught cold from their throw-in, but after the Eagles equalised almost straight from kick-off in the second, he lost his shooting boots.
The 27-year-old Guinea Bissauan was Everton’s target man whenever the Blues stole possession from Palace, wherever they were on the pitch, but it was Carlos Alcaraz who popped up to win it late on.
Alcaraz lashing home 10 minutes from time could, however, have been added icing on an already-secured win, with Beto missing a golden opportunity on the break midway through the second half.
Beto ‘should’ be raging after Everton v Crystal Palace miss
Sitting dead central yards out after being played by Jesper Lindstrom’s cross, Beto’s 57th-minute shot was hit straight at the goalkeeper despite having the entire goal to aim at.
Speaking on Sky Sports Premier League (15 February, 6:47pm), commentator Alan Smith said: “You just don’t know what’s going to happen next.
“He’s annoyed with himself because it’s point-blank, and he’s hit it straight at the keeper Henderson. That’s why he should be annoyed – there’s a big gap to Henderson’s right.”
Beto battles to the end for Everton in Crystal Palace victory
Given Palace had goals disallowed and laid siege to the Toffees’ goalmouth at times, Moyes’ side coming away from South London with all three points is a highly impressive feat.
Beto played the full 96 minutes at Selhurst Park – unsurprising given he’s Moyes’ only fit striker at the moment – and ran himself into the ground, providing constant link-up play with his fellow attackers.
While Smith was spot on that the striker’s annoyance at his missed chance was indeed deserved, the Sky Sports commentator – a former striker himself – later awarded him the man-of-the-match.
That’s a testament to the impact Beto has made since being thrown in at the deep end by Moyes amid the Blues’ injury crisis up front, with Armando Broja and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s returns some way off.
