Everton’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest was interrupted in stoppage time after Beto and Morgan Gibbs-White suffered a nasty accidental clash of heads.
The match was stopped for more than four minutes, with both players receiving treatment on the pitch.
Gibbs-White then stood up and appeared to walk off the field for more treatment.
But Beto, who appeared to remain on the ground for much longer after the collision, was then taken off the field on a stretcher.
Despite the disturbing scenes, the 26-year-old, who was given oxygen, gave a thumbs up to the Everton fans at Goodison Park as he was taken off the pitch. Gibbs-White, meanwhile, remained on the field.
Youseff Chermiti came on to replace the Everton striker, with the Toffees having taken a two-goal lead in the match thanks to the long-range strikes of Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil.
‘The first signals were very good, very positive. He came over and spoke to the physios and medical team, so that’s good news at this early stage,” Sean Dyche confirmed after the match.
‘Yes, there are things in life that are bigger than football. We all hope Beto does well,” James Tarkowski added after the game.
Play resumed after the interruption, with Everton securing a 2–0 win against Forest.
The win, Everton’s second in their last 16 matches, puts the home side four points ahead of Nottingham Forest at the bottom of the table, and five points clear of Luton at the top step of the drop zone.
It also came after Sean Dyche delivered an impassioned tirade to his players this week, claiming he would ‘not be their cheater’.
Amid the difficulties in front of goal this season, Gueye would produce a superb effort from long range, firing a low shot past Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels to put them ahead after 29 minutes.
Dwight McNeil followed with a second in the 76th minute, with an equally excellent strike from long range, smashing the ball in off the post.
More to follow…
