Beto: Goal means so much

Everton’s goalscoring hero against Fulham, Beto, expressed how much his stoppage-time equaliser meant to him after what he described as some really hard weeks without seeing any action.

The Portuguese was introduced as a late substitute with the Blues trailing to Alex Iwobi’s goal and he came up trumps at the death, heading home Ashley Young’s ball into the six-yard box to earn a 1-1 draw.

The emotion poured out of him when he scored, with a clenched-fist celebration and after the final whistle and he was filmed leaving the pitch in tears.

Beto has had to be patient for his chance up front. Since his last start for Everton, the disappointing home defeat to Southampton in the Carabao Cup last month, he hadn’t played a minute of Premier League football until he was thrown on today by Sean Dyche, with Michael Keane pushed up front as an auxiliary striker.

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As he revealed in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, he has tried to keep his head up and wait for his opportunity.

“It means so much to me,” the Portuguese said. “I work hard. Even if I don’t play, I still work hard, I keep my head up every week.

“Every day I want to improve to be better [so] for me this means so much. To be able to help the team, it’s emotional, you know because it was hard.

“These last weeks were really difficult for me but God helped me, so here I am happy to score a goal. We didn’t win but at least we took a point.

“The supporters support me so much. Since the day I came here, they’ve been screaming my name — ‘Beto, Beto, Beto’ — and, as a player, you just want to pay it back.

“So I aways put in my mind, just be ready because the opportunity may come and today it came and I’m happy to help the team and to help the Toffees.”

Reader Comments (12)

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David Cooper

1 Posted
26/10/2024 at
20:19:33

Sometimes we forget that our players are people as well.

We didn’t play well today against a very good Fulham team. I couldn’t believe how fast they were around the pitch, especially when in possession. We were chasing shadows and not catching them. It really showed up the lack of pace in our starting XI.

The emotion that Beto showed on scoring reminded me what it means to a player who is out of the manager’s mind. You have to be strong to train 5 days a week and watch Calvert-Lewin miss chance after chance… surely you must ask yourself “What do I have to do?”

It was quite fitting that he was interviewed with Keane after the game. Someone who knows exactly how Beto feels.

Will it be enough to start in front of Calvert-Lewin next week? Will Dyche consider Keane as 2nd striker now that Jarrad is back?

We really were outplayed today and stole a point. Five games unbeaten is the best of Dyche’s. Up to 15th place. Keeping going until the 95th minute. Things are definitely looking up!

Jerome Shields

2 Posted
26/10/2024 at
20:29:54

Glad he got his goal. Took It well. Making a direct reference to working hard.Dyches comments must have cut deep

Must be even more frustrating for him watching Calvert Lewin than for us.

Think Dyche gave a indication that Keane was played before Branshwaite, because of his shooting ability

Oliver Molloy

3 Posted
26/10/2024 at
21:30:16

Beto,
Thank you for your efforts – Evertonains want players who give it everything – take your chances any time you get them and you will feel the love.

Rob Dolby

4 Posted
26/10/2024 at
21:47:39

It’s a thankless task playing up top for us with this formation and tactics. Calvert-Lewin didn’t lay a glove on their 2 centre-backs for 80 minutes though, during the last 10 minutes, both knew they had been in a game with Keane and Beto physically challenging them.

Calvert-Lewin looks like a player going through the motions to me, maybe it’s time to give Beto more minutes. Calvert-Lewin is the better footballer but, if the application isn’t there, give me hard work all day long.

Mike Gaynes

5 Posted
26/10/2024 at
22:05:30

David #1,

Fulham has emphasized speed in its recruitment, and they now have plenty of it. Traore and Pepe have both been ranked among the world’s swiftest, and Robinson is the fastest USA international ever recorded.

Oliver #3,

That’s why I was so happy for him today. He sometimes takes a while to get into the game, but today he roared on and sent Fulham bodies flying in all directions. His tears after the game were deeply affecting.

Phil Sammon

6 Posted
26/10/2024 at
23:44:34

Rob #4,

A little unfair on Calvert-Lewin, I think. Like you say, it’s a thankless task. The balls played up to him are absolute crap and he has nobody anywhere near him to flick the ball on to.

His finishing has been poor, we all know that, but I don’t think there’s many players that could do a lot better than him in this formation.

Paul Kernot

7 Posted
26/10/2024 at
23:59:53

I agree, Rob. I was just thinking this morning about Lukaku, arguably our best #9 of late, but a lazy arse striker. Brilliant finisher, yes. Fast off the mark, great strength and finisher but lazy.

The same could be said of most top #9s but not Dom. He is known for his tireless work rate. Not the best finisher one-on-one but gets crap service and has to feed off scraps every week.

Ajay Gopal

8 Posted
27/10/2024 at
03:31:50

It is crazy to have a pop at Dominic, I thought he worked tirelessly. Pickford was punting ball after ball in his general direction, most of them misdirected. In spite of the close attention of Fulham’s centre backs, Dom won most of the heading duels and flicked them on just to find no one within 20 yards of him.

Dyche is asking him to play one of the most difficult centre-forward roles, and I don’t think there is another striker in the world who would be willing to do this, week-in & week-out.

Really glad for Beto for his goal, as David (1) says above, players are humans too, and they are under enormous pressure to deliver. Hopefully, the goal opens the floodgates for him.

Lee Courtliff

9 Posted
27/10/2024 at
08:15:02

I think we all know he’s not particularly good, lacks technique and composure, but Beto is one of those players who is very likeable. You know he’s going to put the effort in that fans want to see from their players.

He’s a bit like Daniel Amokachi, who was far more popular than his ability should have allowed him to be, but he always looked enthusiastic, came across as a nice guy and, obviously, wrote himself into Goodison folklore in that FA Cup semi-final.

Rob Dolby

10 Posted
27/10/2024 at
08:35:23

Phil @6,

I think Calvert-Lewin is going through the motions. I totally agree it’s a thankless task playing up top for a team that doesn’t support the striker.

A few times in the game yesterday, Calvert-Lewin got shrugged off the ball and didn’t react; both of their centre-backs had a very easy afternoon against him. He is a big strong lad – why not let them know he is on the pitch?

Beto isn’t anywhere near the same level of footballer but he has hunger which Calvert-Lewin looks bereft of.

As a team, we don’t supply our striker enough with quality crosses. Mykolenko put a great ball in to McNeil yesterday, probably the only decent ball in all game, that’s just not good enough for strikers like ours.

Under this formation and low talent bar, I don’t think any striker in world football would thrive.

Bill Fairfield

11 Posted
27/10/2024 at
08:43:23

Can’t say I’am a fan of Beto. But there’s no doubting his hard work and honesty. So best of luck to him.

Dave Abrahams

12 Posted
27/10/2024 at
08:46:48

Rob (10),

I’m a fan of Dominic but can’t disagree with anything with your post.

Beto is a bulldozer there to upset the opposition which he did yesterday, he is better suited to Dyche’s long-ball game.
Dominic could be described as timid going on his performance v Fulham and unfortunately a few more games this season.