Journalist predicts Beto to ‘define the outcome’ for Everton in Premier League clash v Brentford
Everton striker Beto could prove the decisive factor for the Toffees when they face off against Brentford in their Premier League clash on Saturday, according to Dominic Booth.
The Guardian journalist, writing in his article (23 September) believes that the new £25.75m summer signing [Sky Sports, 29 August] could be the one to “define the outcome” for Everton when they visit the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday evening (23 September).
Everton have been unable to get going this season, picking up a solitary point in their five matches so far and only scoring twice before they take on a Brentford side who have lost just once at home in 2023.
However, despite Everton’s struggles in front of goal so far, Booth predicts Beto to “carry the fire” and could be the one crucial factor that could lead the Toffees to victory on Saturday.
He wrote: “Dyche has a trump card, though, and it’s not the takeover by the 777 Partners consortium, which he believes won’t affect playing matters anytime soon. It’s Beto.
“The 25-year-old striker scored on his club debut in the Carabao Cup, starred without scoring on his league debut at Sheffield United and, while he was stymied by Arsenal last time out, he’s shown he can carry the fire up front for Dyche.
“Given Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s struggle to rediscover his pre-injury self, Everton must do what Saturday’s opponents have done – renew their frontline.
“Beto’s and Bryan Mbeumo’s respective battles with hardened backlines will define the outcome – the latter continues to impress in Ivan Toney’s absence.”
Dyche’s best bet
In just two Premier League games for Everton so far since his move late in August, Beto has already proven how crucial he will be for the Toffees and Dyche this season.
Beto was their saving grace against Doncaster Rovers on 30 August in the EFL Cup, coming on after half-time to heavily contribute to their nerve-racking comeback win scoring a superb goal to finish off a well-worked Everton move.
The lightning-quick Portuguese hitman then followed that up with an impressive and complete all-round performance in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday (2 September), highlighting just why Dyche spent all of £25.75m on his signature.
Over his 90 minutes on the pitch, Beto registered 49 touches, four shots, one big chance created, and completed six of his nine dribbles, but also contributed heavily to the Everton defence, winning eleven of his total duels, while also registering three clearances [SofaScore].
He may not have followed that up against Arsenal last weekend, but he certainly did enough to provide the Everton fans plenty of encouragement that he could be Dyche’s solution to solving their goal-scoring crisis.
The 25-year-old, dubbed “brilliant” by former Premier League striker Ian Wright, certainly has enough about him to go on an impressive purple patch soon as he possesses all the hallmarks of a typical Dyche striker while also possessing great pace which is always a crucial commodity for a striker in the Premier League.
He will indeed be crucial against Brentford.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are locked in a Premier League battle to sign one of the hottest teenage footballing talents in Brazil with a January exit now possible.