Moyes puts Beckford on notice

Everton manager David Moyes has expressed frustration over striker Jermaine Beckford’s recent profligacy in front of goal.

The Toffees are struggling in the English Premier League this season and sit just two points above the relegation zone in 16th place, and Moyes said his patience with the former Leeds United forward is waning, despite Beckford’s late equaliser against Bolton earlier this month.

The 26-year-old missed a number of gilt-edged chances in Everton’s 4-1 loss to West Bromwich Albion at the weekend, and also failed to seal victory when through on goal late in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland a fortnight ago.

“Look, at this level you can’t afford to miss chances like that (Beckford’s against WBA). We’ve said the last few weeks that we have been punished for our poor finishing, and nowhere was that more apparent than here,” Moyes said.

“Look what happened. Beckford had a great chance that had we scored then maybe we were close to winning the game, and instead we have the double whammy of the miss and we get a player sent off (Mikel Arteta).”

However, Moyes conceded that Beckford’s presence when coming on as a substitute led to an increase in chances for his side.

“Let’s be fair to him, we weren’t getting any chances before he came on, and after he did, we had lots,” he said.

“But he needs to convert them, and as a team we can’t keep missing them, because we are in a bit of trouble now.”

Everton face another side struggling for form, Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.