Everton’s trip to the Etihad Stadium was fraught with a familiar, unspoken tension. The Blues were on the hunt for a victory over Manchester City—a feat that had eluded them for far too long. David Moyes, still in search of his first win against Pep Guardiola’s team across 18 encounters, opted for a daring strategy by positioning Carlos Alcaraz on the right flank.
With Jack Grealish unavailable due to facing his parent club, Moyes assigned Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall the task of orchestrating the attack from the number 10 position. This unconventional setup felt more precarious than secure, and the game’s opening minutes flew by.
Paul Merson Bewildered by Everton Striker’s Costly Miss Against Manchester City
Instead of playing it safe, Everton exhibited confidence. They pressed actively and exploited small openings in City’s defense. Then, in the 13th minute, a pivotal moment arose that could have altered the match’s trajectory: Iliman Ndiaye threaded a clever pass to Beto.
The striker charged into space but skied his shot wide from close range. Paul Merson’s audible gasp of “oh no” on Sky Sports echoed the astonishment in the studio. Nathan Aké’s repeated ball losses gifted Everton opportunities they squandered. Pundits, momentarily distracted from their analysis, glued themselves to the replays, shaking their heads at what should have been a goal.
“That should be 1-0 for Everton; Ake has given the ball away three times already.
“He gives it straight to Ndiaye, who drives into the box, making a cross to Beto. Beto is stretching, but he’s just yards out, and he makes contact, only to put it woefully wide.”
That miss haunted Everton as the match progressed, highlighting a recurring issue this season: they possess energy but lack a finishing touch. Moyes’ squad worked diligently but consistently failed to capitalize when it mattered. Earlier reports indicated Manchester United’s interest in Everton midfielder James Garner, illustrating the urgency for the club to retain key players amid an ongoing struggle in attack.
Why Beto Needs to Find the Back of the Net?
For Moyes, Beto’s miss encapsulated the issue. In matches against opponents like City, such moments can be pivotal. The striker repeatedly wastes excellent opportunities instead of converting them, hindering Everton’s progression. Moyes requires a forward who can manage pressure and finish decisively when others falter.
If Beto continues to misfire, young Barry may soon be called upon to take over the striking responsibilities. The frustration among fans, mirrored by Merson and the Sky Sports crew, underscores just how detrimental these missed chances can be. Goals foster confidence, and Everton’s number nine needs to start delivering.
The Toffees have shown potential this season, yet consistency remains elusive. They are reportedly monitoring Ansu Fati, indicating an awareness of the need for added attacking prowess. For now, Moyes must work on rebuilding the confidence of his current forwards. If Everton aims to qualify for Europe, they must begin converting the easier scoring chances, particularly as such opportunities in matches are seldom repeated.