Matt Smith moots Everton v Tottenham clash as ‘perfect time’ for Beto start after Dominic Calvert-Lewin development
The upcoming clash with Tottenham is the “perfect time” for Everton to start Beto, according to GIVEMESPORT journalist Matt Smith.
The striker scored in the club’s 1-1 EFL Cup draw with Fulham on Tuesday (19 December), with the Cottagers going on to win on penalties.
The Toffees return to Premier League action with a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday (23 December).
Striker Beto has made 15 appearances for the Merseyside outfit in all competitions so far, finding the back of the net twice.
“Perfect time to bring Beto in on Saturday,” Smith wrote on X (19 December). “High line of Spurs and Calvert-Lewin looking shattered. Bounce back with a huge three points and climb that table.”
Rare start incoming?
Beto has found it very difficult for starts under manager Sean Dyche since moving to Goodison Park from Udinese in the summer transfer window.
That is in no small part due to the manager’s tendency to stick with the same players time and again, with Calvert-Lewin dominating the striker role since his return to full fitness.
But he has had plenty of game time lately, while Beto has proven his ability in the final third, with those factors potentially combining to force Dyche into switching things up in North London.
It has been a busy time for the Toffees, who perhaps can look on the bright side following their EFL Cup exit, in that they can now focus solely on the Premier League for the time being.
There is, however, an FA Cup third round tie with Crystal Palace rapidly approaching, with Everton travelling to Selhurst Park at the beginning of 2024.
In other Everton news, a BBC Sport journalist has shared a “hero to villain” verdict on one Toffees ace after their EFL Cup loss to Fulham.