Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates after scoring. (Getty Images)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header broke the deadlock for Everton and Cenk Tosun added a second as the Toffees climbed up to 8th in the Premier League standings with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.
Everton caught the game by the scruff of the neck after Luka Milivojevic’s penalty kick was saved by Jordan’s Pickford’s outstretched leg. However, the deadlock was yet to be broken when Marco Silva decided to ring the changes to spice things up.
Substitute Ademola Lookman’s cross found Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s head and the 21-year-old did not make any mistake in putting his team in the lead.
This was not the first time that Calvert-Lewin found the net this season in the Premier League, having previously scored Everton’s equaliser against Huddersfield Town in a 1-1 draw. Furthermore, his brace against Rotherham United propelled Maro Silva’s men to the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The former England U20 international, who scored in the finals of his nation’s triumphant campaign in the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup, had his breakout season at Goodison Park in the 2105-16 campaign.
However, he played a much more significant role last year under Ronald Koeman and made a total of 32 appearances in the Premier League, 14 of which came from the bench. Although he was used more often in the Europa League and in the domestic cup competitions, the 21-year-old still managed to register 4 goals and 6 assists last season in the Premier League.
However, the 21-year-old seems to have taken his game to a new level this term. In fact, Marco Silva’s direct and free-flowing football has brought the best out of him.
While Koeman was more of a tactician who emphasized the tactical aspect of the game, Silva prefers fast and free-flowing football, something that has endeared him to the hearts of the Everton fans. His style of play demands the wingers to run more freely down the flanks, thus creating more opportunities for the strikers to score goals.
To be honest, the effect of direct and attacking football has been pretty evident from the way the team has performed. Everton have scored 15 goals from 9 games so far and their aesthetic free-flowing football has been a treat to watch.
And that is exactly the style that favours someone like Dominic Calvert-Lewin. A fast, agile and physically strong striker who is also capable of playing as a wide forward on the left, the 21-year-old has excelled under the new manager’s philosophy.
However, his best attribute is his aerial prowess which allows him to get on the end of crosses and long-balls and he rarely seems to miss the mark with his headers. In fact, he averaged a whopping 4.2 successful aerial duels per game last season.
He is also adept at linking the play in the final third with clever one-twos or back heels and shows a lot of commitment on the pitch. Apart from that, he has a good technique for his age and never hesitates to have a crack on goal.
The presence of Bernard, Richarlison and Lucas Digne down the wings has ensured that the youngster is not starved of supply into the box. At times, he has drifted wide and has shown that he can rip the defence apart with his pace and physicality.
With Cenk Tosun struggling for form this season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin might play a very important role for the Toffees, particularly in the latter half of the season. He has already made four starts in the Premier League this term and few would back against him earning a starter’s role under Marco Silva in the coming days.
