Everton news: Analysis – Is Beto improving under David Moyes?

Everton’s late showing in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was further evidence of the quick progression made under David Moyes since he returned to the club.

Before he took charge on 11 January, the Toffees were just a point above the relegation zone, while only bottom club Southampton had won fewer games (one) and scored fewer goals (12) than them (three wins, 15 goals).

Fast forward a month and 10 points from their past four Premier League games sees Everton 10 points clear of the drop zone in 15th place.

While the team as a whole has so far benefitted from the former boss’ return, some players in particular are really starting to find their feet under the Scotsman.

One of those is striker Beto.

Having struggled not only for goals but also for minutes under Sean Dyche, the 27-year-old has already spent more time on the pitch in the league this season (262) across four games under Moyes than he had in his previous 12 (221).

With three league goals, including the opener against Liverpool on Wednesday, Beto has also already trebled what he had under Dyche in this campaign. This improvement has seen him bring his minutes per goal down from 221 to 87.

Having averaged the worst shot quality (0.08 xG per shot) in the league this season under Dyche, Everton had improved the quality of their chances before the Merseyside derby to 0.15 Expected Goals (xG) per shot.

With better chances being created, it is giving forwards like Beto more opportunities to get shots on goal.

His seven total shots under Moyes is second among his team-mates. Under Dyche he had just the 11 and was eighth in the team rankings.

The Guinea-Bissau international is also converting more of these chances with his shot conversion rate sky-rocketing from just nine percent up to 43%.

Even just being in the box more can help strikers take chances. It might not be spectacular, but it can help a player and the team stack up the number of times the ball is being put in the back of the net and this is another area where Beto has shown improvement.

He is joint-third among Everton players for touches in the opposition box under Moyes with 13 – one off Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure – and just five short of the 18 he had under ex-Burnley boss Dyche.

It is this kind of boost in form that both player and club desperately needed as the Toffees bid to make sure they begin life in their new stadium in the Premier League next season and not the Championship.