tThey often say that goals are like buses. You wait 18 games for one and then come two. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on the scoresheet in Important victory for Everton 1-0 over Burnley on Saturday, after having hit the 1-1 draw at Newcastle in midweek. Victory against Burnley at the weekend ended Everton's 13-match winless streak, the longest winless streak since 1937. The result became even more significant on Monday, when the club suffered a major blow. two point deductionwhich leaves them only two points from the relegation zone.
It has been a season to forget for Calvert-Lewin. The 27-year-old's goal at the weekend was only his fifth of the campaign and his first since October 29. And unlike previous seasons, he can't blame injuries. Calvert-Lewin has played 27 games Everton in the league this season and only has one assist left in his five goals. His profligacy has been one of the reasons Everton are looking over their shoulders with seven games left.
Everton's biggest flaw this season has been not being able to score. They have scored only 32 goals in 31 games; only Sheffield United (30) have scored less. Luton Town, who are in the relegation zone, have scored 45. Everton's bottom xG of 18.24 is by far the highest in the Championship. first division. Sean Dyche's side have no difficulty creating chances – their 9.2 key passes per game is the 12th best in the division – but they fail to take advantage of them. You could say they can't end with, well, caramel.
Calvert-Lewin is the most culpable culprit. Their underperformance xG of 6.03 is the highest in the division. If he matched his xG, Calvert-Lewin would have 11 goals to his name, more than double what he has actually scored. To be fair to Calvert-Lewin, he is not the only Everton striker struggling for goals. The club signed Beto from Udinese for £26m last summer and has only scored three league goals (and no assists) in 26 appearances. Youssef Chermitiwho arrived from Sporting Lisbon for 15 million pounds, has yet to find the target in 12 appearances.
The good news for Calvert-Lewin is that 40% of his goals this season have come in his last two games, giving him something to build on. That doesn't mean he's back at all. His equalizer at St James' Park came from the penalty spot, although you have to applaud his confidence to step forward in the 88th minute, in one of the Premier League's most intimidating atmospheres, and do his part. of sand to the team. His victory against Burnley was not a textbook finish. Goalkeeper Arijanet Muric lost possession, Calvert-Lewin closed him down and blocked his attempted clearance into the back of the net. Not that Everton or Calvert-Lewin care.
In any case, it's about time Everton enjoyed some luck. They are not a bad side. They have the fourth best defensive record in the Premier League this season, with just 42 goals. Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester United, who are competing for a place in the Champions League, have conceded more. They just need to start marking.
The hope now is that Calvert-Lewin's recent goals will generate the confidence needed to help avoid relegation. No matter how the goals come, strikers thrive on hitting the back of the net and Everton will be praying that this starts a scoring streak to increase their chances of survival.
It's frustrating for both the player and the club because Calvert-Lewin is, to some extent, an archetypal Dyche striker. He is strong in the air and is a challenge for opposing defenses. The problem is that Dyche has the striker chasing long, hopeful clearances up the field, which is a huge waste of his talents. It is no coincidence that Calvert-Lewin's best performances came under Carlo Ancelotti, who simply told the striker to stay in the box if he wanted to score.
Evidently Dyche is not using Calvert-Lewin to its full potential. He has made 112 touches in the opposition box, fewer than wingers Kaoru Mitoma (145), Anthony Gordon (131) and Brennan Johnson (127), to name three. That said, it's not that Calvert-Lewin has lacked scoring opportunities. He has taken 60 shots this season (18th-most in the league) and has blown 13 big opportunities, sixth-most in the league. Dyche needs to find a tactic that works for Calvert-Lewin and helps him replicate his form in the 2020-21 season, when he scored 21 goals under Ancelotti.
Having scored a couple of goals, Calvert-Lewin will be excited about the Everton game. With games against Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Luton and Sheffield United on the horizon, it's a good time to get back into the goals. Everton fans will be hoping this is not a flash in the pan but rather the start of a glut of goals that secures the club's top-flight status.
