Everton picked up their first point of the 2023/24 Premier League season with a back-and-forth encounter at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane that ended 2-2.
Abdoulaye Doucouré struck the opener on 14 minutes but, despite being the more dangerous outfit for the majority of the first half, the Blues found themselves trailing at the interval after Cameron Archer's debut goal and a painfully unfortunate ricochet off the post that went down as a Jordan Pickford own goal.
Arnaut Danjuma struck a deserved equaliser 10 minutes into the second period after a sweeping Toffees attack.
Sean Dyche's side pushed for a winner as the game wore on but had Pickford to thank in the last action of the game when the England international pulled off a stunning double save to twice deny Oli McBurnie from close range.
After a goal on his first appearance for the Club in the Carabao Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers in midweek, Beto was handed his Premier League debut from the start in place of Lewis Dobbin, as manager Dyche made one change to the side that began the most recent Premier League game - a frustrating 1-0 reverse to Wolves.
Discussing the Portuguese striker in his pre-match interview, Dyche said: "There’s a rawness and a hunger and desire to him, which we’ve seen already. His attitude has been first-class so far but it is a ‘so-far story’. He has to adapt to the Premier League so we’re not overthinking it with him. We just want to encourage him to come here and enjoy it and get involved in the challenges in the Premier League."
And it was Beto's first real involvement in the contest that lead to the opening goal just before the quarter-hour mark.
The towering forward was presented with his first sight of goal on the edge of the penalty area following a neat lay-off by Doucoure from a throw-in and his goal-bound effort was deflected behind for a corner.
Ashley Young's out-swinging delivery was met by Amadou Onana's cushioned header and after Doucoure's improvised initial effort was parried by United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham, the Mali international reacted quickest to prod home from close range on the rebound.
The Toffees had a glorious chance to extend their lead with a four-versus-two breakaway four minutes later, but Arnaut Danjuma opted to take it alone and was thwarted by John Egan at the crucial moment.
The hosts were back on level terms 12 minutes before the half-time interval, when a cross from the right was controlled by Oli McBurnie in the penalty area and laid off for Archer to thunder home with a first-time effort on his debut for the Blades following a summer switch from Aston Villa.
Everton then found themselves trailing deep into first half stoppage time when Archer's curling effort from the edge of the penalty area cannoned off the post before hitting Jordan Pickford's back and ending up in the net.
The Blues came out positively after the break and were perhaps unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty with the second half less than four minutes old.
Released by Beto, Danjuma was hauled to the ground by Anel Ahmedhodzic, but the offence was adjudged to have taken place half a yard outside of the penalty area, following a double check from VAR.
Everton didn't have to wait much longer for their second, though, and it was a fantastic passage of play to produce the equaliser.
After moving the ball quickly in midfield, the Blues attacked down the right flank and Beto's lay-off for Patterson meant the Scot didn't have to break his stride before producing a deep cross where Danjuma was on hand to level proceedings.
Everton continued to push forward in search for a winner as the game wore on and while that pursuit proved fruitless, Pickford preserved an away point in the dying embers with a superb double save.
Sheffield United's 99th-minute corner was met by the head of McBurnie but Pickford was equal to it, palming it on to the crossbar before nodding the rebound on to the post and then prodding away to safety.
Next up for Everton, following the international break, is a home clash with Arsenal on 16 September (5.30pm BST).
Doucoure Opens The Show Again
Abdoulaye Doucouré enjoyed something of a renaissance under Sean Dyche during the second half of the 2022/23 season, crucially netting five goals to help the Blues retain their Premier League status.
After collective struggles in converting chances so far this term, the Mali midfielder was on the mark again with Sean Dyche's side first league goal of 2023/24.
In fact, each of the past three times Everton have gone 1-0 up in a Premier League match, Doucouré has scored the opener - against Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth in May, as well as here.
Beto In The Mix
While no assists will be registered to his name, Beto played crucial roles in both of Everton's goals while producing a battling performance in the heart of the Blues' attack.
The corner that led to Doucoure's opener was won by Beto's deflected shot and the 6ft 4in striker also provided an excellent pass for Patterson to cross for Danjuma's equaliser.
He finished the match top of Everton's charts for successful dribbles (seven) and duels won (12).
Return Of The Mc
Dwight McNeil stepped off the bench with 15 minutes remaining at Bramall Lane, his first minutes of the competitive season after sustaining an ankle injury in the pre-season friendly at Stoke City.
The 2,861 travelling Evertonians, who took up the entire lower tier of the Bramall Lane Stand, afforded the winger with a special ovation upon his introduction.
With the upcoming international break, McNeil now has a fortnight to continue his work to peak condition.
