Everton: Dominic Calvert-Lewin could get Sean Dyche sacked v Newcastle
With Everton equalling an unwanted club record of 12 Premier League matches without a victory, the onus is on their star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to help end that.
The 2-1 loss at Bournemouth extended the winless streak, with players like Calvert-Lewin failing to lift the Toffees out of the mire, and things don’t get any easier against a rejuvenated Newcastle on 2 April.
Having netted just three times in the Premier League all season, he is fast becoming a striker whom Sean Dyche simply cannot rely on, with summer signing Beto coming off the bench to equalise with his second goal in three games last time out.
Opta data suggests that a change of attacking shape, system and personnel is needed to help the Toffees climb out of the relegation fight, after not scoring in the first half of 20 games so far this season.
Sean Dyche facing Everton sack?
Calvert-Lewin has led the line in 19 of Everton’s 30 Premier League matches so far this season, but has returned just three goals across those matches – with a 6% goal conversion rate and an xG of over nine [Sofascore].
The England international was largely ineffective against Bournemouth too, having the fewest touches of anyone on the pitch who played the full 90 minutes according to Opta, and registering one shot on target from two attempts.
He did win 11 of his 20 duels, but that hold-up play contributed to just seven shots on goal throughout the entire Toffees line-up.
Beto, on the other hand, came on with 11 minutes left, registered two shots on target, and scored with one of them, equalising late on before Seamus Coleman’s own goal won it for Bournemouth.
Given the Portuguese’s contribution in recent matches, Dyche would be wise to start him in place of Calvert-Lewin as Everton strive to avoid an unwanted club record.
With calls for Dyche to be sacked starting to grow, starting the latter could be the last thing he does.
In other Everton news, here’s the predicted line-up and team news for the club’s match against Newcastle United.
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