Credit: Imago]

Dan Godfrey

Sun 27 October 2024 12:10, UK

Beto has one eye on taking Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s space in the Everton team after he “hyped up” the fans off the bench against Fulham on Saturday [26 October], according to Theo Walcott.

The Guinea-Bissau striker replaced Calvert-Lewin after 81 minutes with the Toffees trailing, before popping up with an injury-time header to salvage a point in a 1-1 draw.

Walcott, speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day [26 October, 1:05:12], praised Beto’s impact and noted Calvert-Lewin’s contract, which expires in the summer.

“Beto came on, he wants to make a point, he wants to be in that team with Calvert-Lewin’s contract running down,” the former Toffees man said.

“He encouraged the crowd and got them hyped up, he put himself in the right areas and caused a different problem.

“The emotion, excitement and relief to get his goal is brilliant to see.”

Beto in tears after crucial Everton intervention

Beto’s emotion after heading Everton level against Fulham was plain to see – it felt like he had waited an age for that goal.

The 26-year-old’s only previous strike this season had come in the EFL Cup against League Two Doncaster Rovers, and he had not so much as featured in the league for Sean Dyche since 17 September.

In managing to do what Calvert-Lewin couldn’t on the night – albeit with the offside flag denying the England man – Beto may just have given Dyche food for thought on his potential impact.

Everton’s attack is an incomplete jigsaw at the moment. They just need to get everyone firing at once – Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye have been among those to impress in 2024-25.

Bottom-placed Southampton are next up for the Toffees [2 November], which could present Beto prime opportunity to build on his massive moment.

In other Everton news, Jamie O’Hara blasted the team after former Blue Alex Iwobi struck at Goodison.

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