Everton have enjoyed their fair share of cult heroes during the Premier League era. Duncan Ferguson initially joined on a brief loan spell from Rangers before going on to win the FA Cup with the club just a few months later.
The Scot ended his career with the Toffees having netted 72 goals for the club and is still fondly remembered by the supporters.
Marouane Fellaini is another cult icon. The Belgian – famed for his Sideshow Bob haircut – shone during his time at Everton, scoring 33 goals in 171 appearances for the Goodison Park outfit.
His performances on the pitch were iconic. Arguably the finest signing in the Premier League era for Everton was that of Tim Cahill, who played for the club for eight seasons.
Tim Cahill’s Everton statistics
After starring for Millwall from 1998 until 2004, culminating in an FA Cup final appearance against Manchester United, Cahill joined the Toffees ahead of the 2004/05 season.
|
Tim Cahill’s Everton statistics |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2011/12 |
41 |
3 |
3 |
|
2010/11 |
28 |
9 |
4 |
|
2009/10 |
43 |
10 |
6 |
|
2008/09 |
40 |
9 |
7 |
|
2007/08 |
28 |
10 |
4 |
|
2006/07 |
21 |
7 |
1 |
|
2005/06 |
39 |
8 |
3 |
|
2004/05 |
38 |
12 |
0 |
A total of 68 goals and 28 assists were registered by the Australian during his spell at the club. Famed for his ability to score stunning goals, Cahill didn’t take long to become a cult-like figure to the fans.
He helped the club finish fourth during his maiden campaign and led them to the 2009 FA Cup final, which they lost to Chelsea.
At the end of the 2011/12 season, Cahill joined the New York Red Bulls, embarking on his next adventure in MLS. In the years since, the club hasn’t quite had a player like him.
But with David Moyes returning for his second spell, might he have found his next Cahill-esque star in current centre-forward Beto?
Everton’s next cult hero under David Moyes
Beto joined the Toffees in 2023 from Udinese, costing the club around £30m. However, he scored just three Premier League goals during his maiden season at Goodison, failing to live up to this extravagant fee.
This season has been much better, especially since Moyes took over the reins. Indeed, before the recent 1-1 draw against Brentford, Beto had scored five goals in his previous four top-flight games, including a brace against Leicester City in a 4-0 victory.
Moyes has clearly brought the best out of the 27-year-old, subsequently finding a surprise cult hero from someone who struggled big time under the previous regime.
Indeed, it’s his recent form that has dragged the club away from the danger zone and showcased their credentials to potentially nab a European spot in the forthcoming seasons, just as a Cahill-inspired Moyes side did many moons ago.
Writer Ell Bretland has heaped praise on the centre-forward for his recent displays, demonstrating why we’re making such a comparison to the Aussie legend.
Beto’s composure in front of goal for his finishes against Leicester, Liverpool and Palace has been so impressive. Not controlling the ball to ensure he makes that connection to sidefoot it in takes real focus and calmness. His positional awareness in that situation is class.”
Cahill was a master of finding space and being aware of his surroundings, becoming a force to be reckoned with under Moyes and Beto is now the modern incarnate of the Goodison hero.
Now, the Everton faithful will be hoping the striker can maintain this current form to the end of the campaign, which will fill him with plenty of confidence heading into the new one at Bramley-Moore Dock.
Related
Everton make ruthless decision on “phenomenal” £90,000-a-week man’s future
Is it the right call by the Blues?
