Everton ace Dominic Calvert-Lewin stunned Micky Gray with his play leading their attack at home to Arsenal. The striker helped Sean Dyche get a 1-0 win in his debut match in charge.
The Toffees pipped the Premier League leaders through James Tarkowski to take only their fourth win this season. No team had won fewer top-flight fixtures so far this term entering the weekend than the Merseyside club. Only Wolves (12) had also scored fewer goals (15).
Tarkowski broke the deadlock with what would prove to be the only goal on the hour mark from a corner. Dyche’s old Burnley enforcer beat Martin Odegaard at the back post to get onto Dwight McNeil’s cross. The goal was also the doing of two old Turf Moor teammates.
Dyche only took charge at Goodison Park on Monday after Everton owner Farhad Moshiri sacked Frank Lampard. He arrived on Merseyside with the Toffees 19th in the table on 15 points from 20 games. They had won three and lost in 11 of their fixtures under Lampard.
Yet Tarkowski’s goal gave Dyche the dream debut at the Everton helm by beating Arsenal. The Gunners had also travelled to Goodison having only lost once through their 19 games this term. They have also only drawn twice and have won a division-high 16 games so far.
Calvert-Lewin stuns Gray with his display to help Everton beat Arsenal
Only Newcastle United have now lost once in the Premier League so far this season. The Toon also hold the best defence with just 11 goals conceded ahead of hosting West Ham United on Saturday evening. Arsenal have the second-best backline having now let in 17.
Calvert-Lewin proved unable to find a way past Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal to give Everton some breathing room. But the 25-year-old impressed Gray with his efforts leading Dyche’s maiden Toffees attack. Even if he remains on just one goal after 11 appearances.
“Calvert-Lewin deserves a goal,” former England left-back Gray has told talkSPORT (04/04, 13:46). “He’s been absolutely fantastic up there on his own.”
Dyche will hope Calvert-Lewin can now add more goals to his combative game
Lampard had started Calvert-Lewin in just eight of Everton’s 20 Premier League games this season during his tenure. He also introduced the England forward off the bench twice. The 25-year-old missed the first two months of the campaign due to a pre-season knee injury.
Calvert-Lewin has also still only scored one goal, which he hit at home to Crystal Palace in a 3-0 win on October 22. The Eagles match also marked the Toffees’ last Premier League win before beating Arsenal. Yet despite the injuries and a lack of form, the forward has suitors.
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe explored a £35m transfer for Calvert-Lewin in January, per The Sun. The Toon manager is a big fan of the striker, who proved his worth to help to Dyche’s first win. Even if the attacker remains on just a single goal for the campaign so far.
Per SofaScore, Calvert-Lewin won a game-high nine of his 14 attempted duels as Everton beat Arsenal. Only Bukayo Saka also won as many with all of the winger’s on the ground. Calvert-Lewin won three of his six on the ground and a game-high six from eight in the air.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
