Beto in 0% shocker as James Garner stars again for Everton – Three things learned v Nottingham Forest
Everton boosted their hopes of Premier League survival with a 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Saturday (2 December).
The Toffees started the game bottom of the division following Burnley’s victory over Sheffield United and were without injured star man Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, Sean Dyche’s men put all that to one side with an impressive win at the City Ground thanks to Dwight McNeil’s 67th-minute strike.
The victory lifts Everton up to 18th place and now within two points of Luton Town, who lost to Brentford earlier in the day.
Here, Goodison News highlights three things learned for Everton against Forest.
Better needed from Beto
Beto was handed his first start since September, but he was unable to step up in the absence of star forward Calvert-Lewin.
The £26million striker had three shots in his 67 minutes on the field and failed to find the target from any of them, giving him a poor 0% return [Sofascore].
One of those efforts was closer to Row Z than the back of the net in what was a toothless display from the Toffees – one moment of McNeil brilliance aside.
Calvert-Lewin’s injury seems to be minor, and it may be that Dyche takes a risk on his fitness against Newcastle United next week even if he is not 100% ready.
Everton will persist with Beto given how much they spent on him, but one goal from 13 games is a rather worrying return.
Garner the Great
McNeil was the hero with his sublime second-half strike – one of three efforts Everton registered on target – to get off the mark for the campaign.
However, James Garner was the best player on the field as he led the way in a number of key metrics.
As pointed out by Sky Sports, Garner was first in terms of passes (44), passing accuracy (84%), possession won (11) and interceptions (three).
The midfielder also had the most final-third entries (nine) as he looked to not only keep things ticking over but also create chances.
Without Calvert-Lewin available, there is an argument to be made that Garner is currently Dyche’s most important player.
Pickford gets it
Jordan Pickford celebrated the victory wildly at full-time, as he did after a vital interception to deny Anthony Elanga an equaliser late on.
That will not technically go down as a save, but the England international did keep out attempts from Murillo and Ryan Yates.
As co-commentator Don Goodman put it during Sky Sports’ live coverage [2 November]: “He’s celebrated with the fans. He knows how big a moment that was.”
This win means Everton have still yet to lose a game in which they have taken the lead under Dyche.
As long as Pickford is between the sticks, one goal up the other end can so often prove the difference for the Toffees, as was the case here.
In other Everton news, a Toffees transfer decision may have been made easier ahead of the January window.