Everton's quick start out of the blocks this season has faltered in recent weeks.

Since a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against Aston Villa was picked up in the middle of September, David Moyes' Toffees have then gone on to collect two concerning defeats in both the Premier League and EFL Cup, while falling foul to another unwanted draw against West Ham United last time out.

Moyes will hope his uncertain side can get back to winning ways sooner rather than later as the games continue to come in October, with clashes against Crystal Palace and Manchester City not looking the easiest on paper.

Still, there was certainly enough on display across Everton's blistering start to indicate that they can excite fans and pick up results when everything is clicking.

Signs to remain positive at Everton

A huge factor behind Everton sealing various electric wins at the very start of the campaign was the magic of Jack Grealish.

Indeed, the two early wins on the spin against Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers saw the silky number ten collect a bumper four assists, as Premier League defences just didn't know how to handle the ex-Aston Villa man's creativity on the ball.

The rejuvenated attacker did amass four key passes against the Hammers, but it wouldn't result in another assist being notched up, with Grealish soon to sit out the clash against the Citizens owing to his loan deal. Still, Moyes does also have the likes of Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall he can rely on for split-second moments of quality.

He even has Michael Keane he can fall back on if needs be, as the long-standing Toffees servant was the only goalscorer against Nuno Espirito Santo's men on Monday night.

But, he will be desperately worried about one individual in his side who continues to let the team down, so much so that he now looks to be on borrowed time as a regular under the Scotsman's wing.

The Everton star who's having a "really negative effect"

After all, the likes of Grealish and Ndiaye creating chances galore ends up being practically redundant if there isn't a red-hot finisher prepared to bury the opportunity.

While Beto did enjoy a mini purple patch last season when the joy of Moyes' return was at its peak - with a blistering seven strikes picked up under the Glaswegian's tutelage from 18 Premier League clashes - he has clearly gone off the boil once more, situated on Merseyside, when considering his concerning numbers from this season in isolation.

It feels like an awfully long time ago now since Beto was "thriving" - as he was labelled by journalist Paddy Boyland - and firing under Moyes, with the lacklustre number nine only managing one meagre goal so far this season in Premier League action.

Failing to take games by the scruff of their neck at 18.5 touches averaged per league clash, it's also worryingly apparent now that Beto's reputation for being a "powerful" presence - as Sean Dyche once noted - is also somewhat of a myth, with only three of his duels won against West Ham, despite attempting 13 tussles in total.

Having such a hit-and-miss striker as a focal point up top is having a detrimental impact on Everton's recent results, with the other attackers around him only capable of doing so much.

Everton-based writer Ell Bretland summed it up nicely when he stated that Beto's shortcomings are now "glaringly obvious" when paired next to entertaining teammates in the form of Grealish and Ndiaye, stating that it's beginning to have a "really negative effect."

There will still be a tinge of hope in the air that Beto can recapture his early form under Moyes, but persisting with the goal-shy 27-year-old could come back to seriously bite the Toffees, particularly if their recent winless run goes on to stretch beyond the setbacks suffered in September.