Sky Sports pundit: Dominic Calvert-Lewin has to start again for Everton against Fulham
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has to start for Everton against Fulham because of the difference he made in the Crystal Palace win, says Kevin Campbell.
The England striker surprisingly started his second game inside 72 hours against the Eagles on 22 October, having only started his first all season at Newcastle on 19 October after more injury problems to begin the campaign.
But he was excellent in the 3-0 win, opening the scoring with a great goal, and Sky Sports pundit Campbell thinks Frank Lampard has made a decision now to trust in the striker’s fitness and start him where possible.
He exclusively told Goodison News: “No. Now I think Everton and Frank Lampard have said to themselves, ‘Dominic, you’re going to start’.
“You could see the difference he makes. Obviously the first game, Newcastle, was a bit more difficult.
“But Everton with Calvert-Lewin at the top, you could tell by the score against a good Palace side, looked a lot more comfortable.
“Everton could hit him and they could play off the front. It looked a lot more like Everton.
“When was the last time Everton won 3-0? It was a powerful performance from Everton against a good Palace side.
“Fair play to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, got the first goal, showed strength and ability, and a great little finish.
“Played a good game and I think he’s got to start against Fulham.”
The difference between the Newcastle and Palace games was almost night and day, literally in that one was played under the lights and the other wasn’t, but the performances of the entire team improving from one to the other.
It was a surprise to see Calvert-Lewin back in the starting line up so quickly, but he made it count with his Dennis Bergkamp-style opener, and if that outing was anything to go by Everton might finally have him back for real now.
Consolidating the comfortable win with another good result against Fulham on Saturday 29 October will restore a large portion of the confidence that might have been lost with the three losses, and start a nice run of games before the World Cup break.