Everton are now seven games unbeaten in the Premier League under David Moyes, who narrowly lost his first match against Brighton but has since taken the Toffees on a thrilling journey.
Gone are the days fraught with concern over Everton’s place in the top flight, recent form creating a 15-point gap from relegation-zoned Ipswich Town. Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are all within a stone’s throw of the 16th-place Blues.
These instantaneous improvements have changed the mood considerably, with Bramley Moore now having the feel of a potential hothouse for development and progress. Real progress. Sustained progress.
The Friedkin Group are no doubt delighted, however, there’s much to work on in the long run, and all the powers that be will understand the summer transfer market must be used expertly, the ripest fruits available picked from the pile.
The best results will be achieved through the seamless integration of summer recruits and existing stars. Some have stepped up big time, with Beto in particular good enough to retain a prominent place over the coming years.
Beto's improvements under David Moyes
When Beto joined Everton from Udinese in a deal worth about £26m, he was slated for an exciting role under Sean Dyche. It was August 2023, and the 6 foot 4 striker’s blend of power and pace made him an ideal foil for the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
But he toiled, struggled to get to grips with Premier League football, Dyche’s system and all the rigours in between. Indeed, Beto scored four goals across 42 Premier League fixtures before Moyes replaced a rather resigned Dyche in January. He’s since leapt over that tally, posting five in his last six, converting far more clinically.
Apps
42
6
Goals
4
5
Shot conversion %
7%
31%
Big chances missed
10
3
It’s been a remarkable resurgence, particularly important given Calvert-Lewin is injured and so too is Armando Broja, who has only started two top-flight games all season.
As per FBref, the 27-year-old now ranks among the top 10% of Premier League strikers in 2024/25 for non-penalty goals scored (0.71) and successful take-ons (1.53) per 90, highlighting both his clinical edge and movement that has rebooted Everton’s attacking point.
Given he was slated for a return to Italy during the winter transfer window, Beto’s comeback is all the more impressive. Indeed, his success in Moyes’ system denotes a potential long-term role.
He’s hit the jackpot with his Scottish gaffer, however, Beto isn’t actually the biggest winner from Moyes’ return to Goodison Park.
Everton's biggest winner under Moyes
There’s a general consensus on the Blue half of Merseyside that Moyes’ footballing philosophy isn’t wholly different from Dyche’s. They both approach things pragmatically (which isn’t a bad thing) and share deep-rooted beliefs regarding hard graft and togetherness.
Chalkboard
However, Moyes also encourages creativity and a more nuanced outlook, whereas Dyche’s industrious team ran out of stream, ideas and indeed indentity toward the final days of his reign, with The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland commenting: “At the end of a turbulent spell, even he felt his time was up.”
Everton are now capable of throwing down with any team in the Premier League, so many players enjoying a new lease of life. Jack Harrison, for example, might just have found his Toffees career salvaged by TFG’s success in re-appointing Moyes to the club.
Harrison played a part last season, on loan from Leeds United after their relegation from the Premier League. When the Whites failed to return, the versatile winger’s stay was extended for a second term.
There’s no question he’s regressed in his second term as an Everton player, but Harrison has returned to form in recent weeks, with writer Ell Bretland noting his link-up play has been “much better” since the turning of the managerial wheel, now becoming a “useful member of the squad.”
His wait for a goal involvement in 2024/25 does rage on, but Harrison has showcased a new level of completeness under Moyes’ wing, especially since he’s now shifted over to the left flank in the absence of Iliman Ndiaye, who is ruled out with a medial ligament injury.
Matches (starts)
29 (25)
23 (15)
Goals
3
0
Assists
3
0
Shots (on target)*
1.2 (0.3)
0.9 (0.2)
Pass completion
73%
75%
Key passes*
1.0
1.0
Dribble (success)*
1.0 (43%)
0.8 (36%)
Ball recoveries*
4.4
2.2
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
1.3
Total duels (won)*
3.7 (41%)
2.7 (37%)
In fact, across the four recent Premier League matches which have seen Harrison fielded on the left, he has averaged 1.75 dribbles and two key passes per game, highlighting the improvements that could hold sway when determining his future.
For sure, he’s not Ndiaye, who is perhaps the team’s most gifted member and scored in each of Everton’s first victories under their 61-year-old manager before being cruelly injured in the Merseyside derby.
However, the £90k-per-week Harrison is shifting away from a universal opinion of his lacklustre performances, his expendable place in the team.
Maybe it’s premature to claim he’s been reborn, but the significance of Harrison stepping up in the absence of Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil cannot be understated. Without the energy, combativeness and balance that he has instilled on the left wing, Everton’s revival might not have enjoyed the same level of success.
All told, with players such as Beto and Harrison previously written off but back with a bang, there’s a real sense of optimism for the future at Everton.
Goodison Park might be in its swansong, but Moyes’ tactical expertise and interpersonal skills are proving invaluable. If Harrison can go from weakness to strength, imagine the gains that could be made with well-placed signings in the summer.
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