ASSISTANT manager Steve Round has backed Jermaine Beckford to take his impressive FA Cup performance into the Premier League after watching him down one of his former clubs.

The 27-year-old striker scored once and set up the match-clinching third goal as Everton eased into round four at the expense of the club where he spent a successful loan spell in 2007.

Round admits Beckford, a summer signing at Goodison Park, has taken time to make the grade in the top flight but is convinced he is coming into form ahead of the second half of the campaign.

"He's really starting to come through now," said Round, who conducted the Blues' post-match media conference.

"It was great for him to score again and the fact he looked a threat for the whole game was very pleasing.

"It's taken a while, but we knew that would happen when he'd come up from a league or two below. It's very difficult to establish yourself, it takes time.

"We know he can score goals because he's a really good finisher. We know he's a threat on the shoulder and he loves to run in behind.

"We're pleased with his progress."

Last week's 2-1 home win over Spurs was only the sixth time in 21 matches Everton have netted twice in a match – with a lack of goals one of the biggest criticisms levelled at David Moyes' side this term.

With that in mind, Round was delighted to see the Blues bag five at Glanford Park.

"We've been threatening that sort of result for a while," he said.

"We got the goals that we've missed in previous games and that's seen us through to the next round.

"The early goal killed the game and made Scunthorpe go a little bit flat.

"Credit to them, they came back at us after half-time. They got a goal back but I think our quality told in the end."