Micky Gray vents his frustration at Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Everton v Arsenal
TalkSPORT pundit Micky Gray was left tearing his hair out at Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s “bread and butter” chance he missed to open the scoring for Everton against Arsenal at Goodison Park.
In Sean Dyche’s first game as manager, the Toffees were extremely impressive and James Tarkowski did eventually open the scoring for the home side.
As the clock ticked into first-half stoppage time, an Everton cross was whipped in from the right-hand side, and an unmarked Calvert Lewin remarkably headed wide from yards out.
Commentating live on talkSPORT radio (Saturday 4 February, 13:19), former England international Gray gushed over the Toffees’ succinct build-up play but was amazed at the gilt-edged chance their number nine spurned.
“What a chance,” he said. “I mean, it took just three passes to get that ball into the penalty area, and I’ve lost count of how many great chances Calvert-Lewin has had in this first half against Arsenal.
“This one is bread and butter for him. In the air, nobody marking him, and he’s just got to find the target.
“That is the only thing I can criticise Everton about in this first half is that when they’ve had those big chances, they’ve not hit the target.”
Dyche ball
Considering they were facing up against a team top of the Premier League by five points and who had lost just one game all season, Everton were simply brilliant.
Right from the first whistle, you saw exactly what Dyche wanted from his side: A solid defence, aggression in midfield and persistent press in attack that could help get the Goodison Park faithful on their feet.
It wasn’t rocket science, but it rattled Arsenal in the early stages, and the physicality Calvert-Lewin provided at the tip of Everton’s attack proved a tough challenge for William Saliba and Gabriel all afternoon long.
In this case, the move was simple but effective. After regaining possession in midfield, the ball was played out to the right-hand side before a first-time ball was whipped in for the Toffees centre-forward to meet.
Although he spurned the chance, and it drifted agonisingly wide, the early signs under Dyche are promising from this performance alone.