talkSPORT pundit Perry Groves outlines how Everton can stay afloat amid ‘turmoil’
Perry Groves insists Everton are in no danger of being relegated from the Premier League as long as Dominic Calvert-Lewin stays fit.
The Toffees continued their positive run of form with a 3-2 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday (11 November).
Calvert-Lewin was not on the scoresheet, but Groves believes he is the key to Everton staying up amid off-field “turmoil” they are experiencing.
“Everyone thought this would be 0-0 – that was the banker,” Groves said on talkSPORT’s PL All Access Pod [12 November, 41m 40s].
“But I saw Everton at West Ham when they won 1-0 and Sean Dyche had his team very well structured. Calvert-Lewin makes a difference by bringing other people into the team.
“At the back, [James] Tarkowski and [Jarrad] Branthwaite, I know they conceded two goals, but they’re a steady centre-half pairing.
“For all the turmoil Everton are going through off the pitch, they’re safe on the pitch. There’s no danger of them going down as long as Calvert-Lewin stays fit.”
Off-day
Calvert-Lewin actually appeared to have an off-day against Palace, as he had just 20 touches of the ball, recorded only one key pass and failed to register a shot [Sofascore] in his 77 minutes on the field.
The England international also struggled to get massively involved in the previous week’s 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, but it is no coincidence results have picked up since he slotted back into the side.
Sean Dyche is not exactly blessed with centre-forward options, with Beto his only other real choice there, so keeping Calvert-Lewin fit is imperative.
Having now started eight games in a row, it appears that the 26-year-old is finally over the injury problems that have plagued him over the past couple of seasons.
Adding some more goals to his game would be great but, with results going the way they are, just doing what he is doing seems to be working well enough.
In other Everton news, Inter Milan look set to end the Toffees’ hopes of landing a promising talent.