Everton could give Beto a new run after last-gasp Fulham heroics

The Portuguese striker scored the extra-time equaliser in last weekend's 1-1 draw with the Cottagers at Goodison Park.

Everton v Doncaster Rovers - Carabao Cup Second Round
Everton v Doncaster Rovers - Carabao Cup Second Round | Visionhaus/GettyImages

Beto's goal saved the blushes of the Everton players and manager Sean Dyche, after what had been a very poor and underwhelming performance over the course of the previous ninety odd minutes.

His strike salvaged a point in a match that the Toffees frankly deserved little from after failing to offer much consistent threat up front at all.

Despite the efforts of forwards such as Iliman Ndiaye, Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil in the win over Ipswich Town in the previous Premier League game, the Blues attack was anemic again at Goodison.

It was Beto's first goal of the season although to be fair he has had little chance so far in the current campaign with Dominic Calvert-Lewin being preferred in every match so far.

Calvert-Lewin for all his qualities and importance to how Dyche sets his Everton team up to play, has once again struggled to finish the chances that have fallen to him.

Now, as the manager contemplates what side he will pick for the trip to Southampton, will Beto get a chance to start?

There are arguments for him to play alongside Calvert-Lewin in a front two to try and give the Toffees the best chance of scoring some goals.

That has been occasionally tried before and has not been a great success. To be fair that experiment is not one that Dyche has stuck with for any length of time.

With McNeil possibly unavailable for the visit to the South Coast, then switching to a 4-4-2 type formation might make sense.

But the manager does not seem to be willing to alter his one-striker system and tactics so that looks to be an unlikely change.

So, perhaps Dyche be willing to commit to Beto leading the line instead of Calvert-Lewin at St Marys' this coming Saturday.

Whoever does start in that lone centre-forward position he will need support from those operating behind him.

Last Saturday, Ndiaye had a quiet game and only occasionally got fully involved. When he did his quality and creativity was clear and on a different level to anyone else.

With McNeil potentially out, I think Ndiaye should move into a central position behind either Beto or Calvert-Lewin tov ensure he can make a much more consistent and telling contribution.

Both Beto and Calvert-Lewin have uncertain futures with rumours that one or other - or possibly both - might well consider leaving Merseyside this coming January.

Everton cannot obviously lose both in the New Year transfer window, so Dyche has some difficult decisions to make and a lack of playing time could be crucial.