Everton are badly in need of a goal-scoring threat in the league – and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has shown he can ease their troubles.
Everton fans could hardly be blamed for breathing a huge sigh of relief at the prospect of Bournemouth visiting Goodison Park this weekend.
Ronald Koeman’s men are in the bottom three of the Premier League, having lost their last three league games and scored only 10 goals in 11 matches in all competitions this season.
Only two of those strikes have come in league action, with a tough fixture list halting Everton’s early season progress, but the Toffees had hardly been free-scoring in cup competitions prior to Wednesday’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin-inspired 3-0 defeat of an awful Sunderland side.
Therefore, they will be comforted by the sight of Bournemouth, one of only two teams with fewer points in the top tier this term, in the away dressing room.
This is the second of four consecutive home games in all competitions for Koeman’s side and represents an opportunity to kick-start their campaign; League Cup wins can hardly be relied on as a surefire sign of improvement – just ask Crystal Palace.
If Everton are to make a success of this season, they need to start winning and to start winning big – and Calvert-Lewin could be the key.
With three goals in all competitions this term, Calvert-Lewin is his side’s top-scorer and, following a brace against Sunderland, a man in form.
Everton’s best 45-minute showing of the season came against Manchester City when the young forward ran Pep Guardiola’s men ragged and he has surely earned the right to return to the starting line-up.
He offers pace, energy and industry and – most importantly of all – he can score a goal. He is exactly what Everton need against Bournemouth.
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