Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin deserves better than Everton slander in Premier League

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin has earned his fair share of criticism this season, netting just three times for Everton so far.

The 26-year-old's last goal came in October, firing home in a 1-0 victory over West Ham, with midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure leading the scoring list at Goodison Park this campaign.

Calvert-Lewin has been criticised heavily this season by the media and fans, and as a striker with only a handful of goals in all competitions, it is understandable as to why.

What has been said about Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Everton?

Richard Keys dubbed the forward as "terrible" during the Toffees' 2-0 defeat to Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Saturday 10 February, while his display against Crystal Palace saw him shock Conor Coady.

However, an emerging stat, posted by WhoScored via X, shows that football personalities have been underestimating Calvert-Lewin's performances at Goodison Park.

Calvert-Lewin won 17 aerial duels against Crystal Palace on Monday 19 February, which registered as more than any other player in a Premier League match since May 2021. New heights.

As part of Sean Dyche's style of play, it is vital that the striker wins as many challenges in the air as possible, holding up the ball and bringing his teammates into the game.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's game v Crystal Palace in numbers

Having won a record 17 aerial duels throughout the game, Calvert-Lewin boasted an 85 per cent win rate, missing out in just three battles in the air. [FotMob]

While he completed 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles in attack, he was also just as useful in defence, claiming a 100 per cent success rate with his tackles and winning 71 per cent of his ground duels.

Though it still remains 19 matches without netting a goal, the forward is still an important aspect of Dyche's side, as proven by his record stat against Palace on Monday 19 February.

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