Beto in action for Everton
Everton have made a positive start to the Premier League campaign, but they will still rue their missed chances after an out-of-sorts Aston Villa team who came away with a point at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
After successive Jack Grealish-charged victories, David Moyes’ side reverted to a blunter setting against the Villans, dominating for large periods but proving unable to convert.
David-Moyes-Everton-Grealish
The Toffees unleashed 20 shots across the affair and amassed an xG (expected goals) total of 2.17, and yet this wasn’t enough to breach Emiliano Martinez’s goalmouth, and with no thanks to the wasteful Beto up top.
Beto wasteful vs Aston Villa
Beto has been resurgent under Moyes’ wing. In Sean Dyche’s Everton system, the Bissau Guinean striker scored only seven goals across 50 matches; since the craggy-faced manager’s dismissal, he has posted nine goals from 24 games.
Beto
But he’s not without his blemishes. A striker’s life is defined by peaks and troughs, but the towering Beto will be frustrated with having missed a slew of chances against Unai Emery’s side, notably finding his laces tied together when played through, open and free, by Iliman Ndiaye in the first half.
With Thierno Barry waiting in the wings, Moyes will perhaps consider freshening things up when his outfit meet Liverpool at Anfield next weekend, although the 27-year-old’s experience may see him pull through.
But in any case, it was one to forget for the forward, and he wasn’t alone in flattering to decieve.
Everton “passenger” was worse than Beto
Everton, all in all, will be content with stretching their unbeaten run to three matches in the Premier League, settling in sixth place having played four games.
But Moyes is a determined manager, and he will be frustrated with elements of his side’s performance, with centre-midfielder Tim Iroegbunam among those to have struggled.
Tim Iroegbunam and James Tarkowski for Everton
Described as a “passenger” by Everton writer Lyndon Lloyd, who also remarked that the hosts were “too open”, Iroegbunam was perhaps generously handed a 6/10 match rating by The Liverpool Echo, who acknowledged that it was a tough afternoon for the 22-year-old, ceding possession in the first half and failing to get involved after the break.
So he was hooked. Merlin Rohl, signed on deadline day, will fancy his chances at Everton this season, nailing down a starting spot in the middle of the park.
Moreover, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall can operate in a deeper position and perhaps that would open up a new expanse of opportunity for Everton from an attacking standpoint, allowing the likes of Tyler Dibling or Dwight McNeil to come in and create and add sparks and flair.
Iroegbunam’s Performance vs Villa
Stats
#
Minutes played
66′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
27
Accurate passes
18/21 (86%)
Key passes
0
Dribbles
1/1
Tackles
0
Interceptions
1
Duels won
1/3
Yellow card
1x
Data via Sofascore
With just 27 touches across over an hour of action, Iroegbunam didn’t do enough. In fact, that statistic actually places him far below Everton shot-stopper Jordan Pickford, who took 40 touches across the afternoon.
Ultimately, there are worse problems for Moyes to have. Everton aren’t losing at the moment and look dynamic and coherent in their play. But improvements are always possible, and Iroegbunam did little to suggest he should be starting in next weekend’s Merseyside derby.
