Credit: Imago

Goodison News Speaking to Ian Darke

Sat 1 March 2025 7:10, UK

Everton have enjoyed an inspired run of form having now stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to seven games.

The 1-1 draw at Brentford on Wednesday night (26 February) saw David Moyes continue a fine string of results since returning to the Toffees last month.

Among the players to have turned their season around under the manager is Beto, who has scored five in his last six games.

Beto and Calvert-Lewin verdict made by Darke

Fans have enjoyed a new lease of life in Beto since he was entrusted to spearhead Moyes’ attack, with some excellent goals and powerhouse forward displays.

Shades of Beto’s dismal form under Sean Dyche threatened to spike again at Brentford, as the striker passed up several opportunities to find the net for Everton.

Moyes will at least be happy that his frontman is getting in the positions to score, and TV commentator Ian Darke believes Beto, 27, should continue to outrank Dominic Calvert-Lewin once he returns to full fitness.

“One thing I’ll say about Everton is the boy Beto up front is making himself undroppable, even for when Calvert-Lewin is fit again,” Darke exclusively told Goodison News.

“He’s really done well and has shaken up some great defenders like van Dijk and Konate when they played Liverpool, for example.

“Beto has to have the shirt for the foreseeable future.”

Everton striker situation as it stands

Everton are looking at the Premier League season far more positively due to the past few weeks under Moyes, appearing a different force in the league who are now 15 points clear of the drop zone.

Beto was the subject of heavy interest from Serie A where he has previously played, and has been a huge part of that and will still be high on confidence despite his missed chances in midweek.

Calvert-Lewin is out of contract in the summer and sees his long Toffees career at risk of petering out in an anti-climax with just three goals to show for his efforts this year, combined with injury troubles – Everton fans await the next steps on his future.

Armando Broja has barely featured due to injury since arriving on loan from Chelsea, having previously shown his capabilities in the Premier League with Southampton but struggled with fitness at Fulham.

The Albanian international has played just six times in all competitions since his arrival, and was picked to start up front ahead of Calvert-Lewin towards the end of Dyche’s reign before injury struck in the ex-manager’s final game at Bournemouth (4 January).

Youngster Youssef Chermiti has been virtually non-existent in the first team this term due to the same problems, but was named on the Everton bench at Brentford as he progresses from a grade 3 muscular injury.