Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Daniel Davis

Fri 8 May 2026 17:10, UK

Somehow, Everton are statistically now one of the deadliest teams in the Premier League.

Supporters have every right to be sceptical. After all, there has been no shortage of frustration over a lack of cutting edge this season, particularly from David Moyes‘ strikers. Moyes has admitted that he had wanted his centre-forwards to score “far more goals”.

Beto and Thierno Barry hardly look like natural poachers, but the underlying numbers behind recent performances cannot be denied. Positively, they are trending upward, too, which bodes very well indeed ahead of the club’s final push to secure a spot in Europe.

Over the first 18 matches of the season, the Toffees’ big chance conversion stood at a lowly 29 per cent, putting them rock bottom in comparison to their top-flight peers. But after the next 17 fixtures, that increased to 53 per cent, bumping them up to second.

It has taken an eternity, but Everton look to have rediscovered their groove in front of goal, and both Barry and Beto deserve credit for the improvements on that front.

David Moyes still faces awkward Everton striker problem

However, significant question marks are continuing to hang over their heads. Consistency has been an issue for both of them, showcased by the fact that they have scored 12 of their 19 big chances over the last 17 games, having converted only two of 14 in their first 18.

They have been aided by the Toffees’ improvements when counter-attacking. Moyes’ changes have paid off handsomely, with players freed up to spring forward after transitions. But equally, neither striker can be trusted to put the ball in the net with any consistency.

Indeed, Barry and Beto will also have to shoulder a fair amount of responsibility if Everton miss out on Europe at the end of the season. Their tally of 44 goals is the lowest of any team in the top 10, and Moyes has been unable to evoke a spark of real creativity.

While the standard of chance creation has too often dipped below the required standard, the finishing touch from either of the two No 9s has arguably been worse. They flicker in and out of brilliance, but are unlikely to ever become hitmen Moyes can comfortably hand his hat on.

Before the 3-3 draw with Manchester City, Barry had netted just six times in 34 league games. But it was his brace that appeared to put the Toffees on course for a win at Hill Dickinson Stadium, before they allowed two points to squirm out of their grasp.

That, in a nutshell, encapsulates Moyes’ awkward dilemma. Beto delivered an abysmal performance before being hooked, while Barry, who had underwhelmed so often in the weeks leading up to the showdown on Merseyside, all of a sudden resembled a world beater.

Moyes’ tactical tweaks during the half-time break did admittedly play in the latter’s favour. He had instructed his players to get “closer” to City, urging them to show them less respect. That allowed the hosts to impose themselves physically and forced City into making errors.

Barry profited from Marc Guehi’s slack back pass to bring the Toffees level, before he later touched home from Merlin Rohl’s ball to make it 3-1 after 81 minutes. It was a crying shame that Jeremy Doku’s superb equaliser deep in stoppage time took the headlines instead.

Still, it was a step in the right direction for Barry, who is clearly determined to prove he has what it takes to lead the line for Moyes. His well-taken brace confirmed he now holds the edge over Beto, whose copybook was blotted by his dismal outing in the same match.

It was a surprise that Moyes persisted until after the hour mark before replacing Beto, whose overall record of 24 goals in 108 appearances isn’t close to being good enough. He was recruited for his bruising, no-nonsense centre-forward play, but Barry is just as physical.

The latter also has time on his side, whereas Beto is arguably in his prime and should therefore be scoring with relative ease. His flurry of four goals in matches against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool quietened his critics, but he remains frustratingly inconsistent.

Moyes instructions benefit Thierno Barry

Watching from a distance while Beto worked in vain against City on Monday night, Barry was practically champing at the bit to come on, having carefully scrutinised the visitors’ defiencies and worked out how to exploit them. In the end, his words proved prophetic.

“When I was on the bench, I watched the tactics of City and saw high pressures from City,” he said. “I knew if we could win the ball back we could counter-attack.”

The day before, Moyes pulled Barry to one side after training to deliver a simple message.

“He didn’t talk to me too much before [he came on], but yesterday in training, him and me worked on finishing. He said to me: ‘You need to score two or three goals before the end of the season.’ I scored two today, so I’m happy.”

This gentle arm around the shoulder made the difference.

It also proved that in Barry, there is a player ready for moulding. His brace took his top-flight tally to eight goals in 35 appearances, 20 of which were starts. Against City, he registered two shots on goal, both of which were on target, during his 26-minute runout.

Those numbers again demonstrate that there is plenty of room for growth on the 23-year-old’s part, whereas Beto has already plateaued. Clearly, there is much for Moyes to think about, and it would not be a surprise if the latter is glancing nervously over his shoulder.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.