Michael Owen surprised Dominic Calvert-Lewin took penalty in Everton loss v Brighton
Michael Owen was “surprised” to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin taking the penalty during Everton 2-3 defeat v Brighton in the Premier League clash on Sunday.
Everton were trailing 2-0 in the first half, when a massive chance came before the Toffees to get themselves back into the game.
Anthony Gordon earned a penalty after the referee had a look at the pitchside monitor. However, Calvert-Lewin couldn’t hit the target.
Owen reviewing the game for Premier League productions has questioned the decision as to why the England striker took the penalty.
He said: “Surprised to see Calvert-Lewin stepping up for the penalty. He’s a centre-forward, the goalscorer. But he has been out for so long. You’ve to question it…I don’t know.”
Right decision
Calvert-Lewin returned to action after a long injury lay-off and he looked rusty. The penalty-taking decision was a big call, but it was probably right.
It’s a different thing that he couldn’t hit the target, but he was the right man to take the penalty, irrespective of the situation.
If Everton cannot trust their best player and top scorer to bail them out then whom should they rely upon?
At 2-0, the club manager will expect his top player to step up and bring them back into the match.
Calvert-Lewin did the right thing, but sometimes it happens. He is generally good from the spot. It only shows that the England international is full of confidence despite missing a bulk of games through injury.
Everton are in serious trouble. They are winless in their last three games, losing in two of them, and have picked up just one win in their last 12 games in the Premier League.
Benitez has used injuries as an excuse to defend himself, but surely this spiral downfall needs to stop. This is beyond abysmal.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are watching three players in one position ahead of the January window
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