Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on the bench for Everton and West Ham on Sunday.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has told the Liverpool Echo that he ‘absolutely loved’ being involved with the first-team over the last week, having been on the bench against West Ham United on Sunday.
The Toffees coasted to a 2-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, with Romelu Lukaku scoring the opener from a Yannick Bolasie cross, before Lukaku crossed for Ross Barkley to seal a 2-0 victory.
Dominic Calvert Lewin celebrates scoring for Northampton
Lukaku’s superb performance meant that he ended up playing the full 90 minutes, preventing Dominic Calvert-Lewin from making his Premier League debut at Goodison Park.
Lukaku’s backup Enner Valencia – on loan from West Ham – was ineligible to play against his parent club, and with Oumar Niasse well down the pecking order under Ronald Koeman, the Toffees weren’t blessed with attacking options against West Ham.
General view of Goodison Park
That meant that Calvert-Lewin – signed from Sheffield United on deadline day back in August – was named on the bench for the first time, having impressed for the Everton Under-23’s since arriving on Merseyside.
The 19-year-old has been starring for the England Under-20’s too, scoring three goals in three caps, suggesting that Everton and Koeman could have a real star on their hands.
Calvert-Lewin has now been asked about his experience of being around the first-team squad, and told the Liverpool Echo that he ‘really enjoyed’ the last week, and has had to raise his standards to compete with greater players.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
The young striker added that manager Koeman has told him to just keep doing what he has been doing since arriving at Goodison Park, and Calvert-Lewin will no doubt be keen to make his first-team debut for the Toffees this season.
“I absolutely loved it and really enjoyed it last week,” said Calvert-Lewin. “Obviously, the standard is better so I’ve had to raise my standards again. The manager just said keep doing what I’m doing,” he added.
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