Deadly Dom’s run surprises Ancelotti
MORE than a few perfected their finest Carlo Ancelotti impersonation when the Everton manager predicted Dominic Calvert-Lewin could become one of the finest strikers in Europe. Up went the eyebrows. That was just under a year ago, days after Ancelotti had taken over at Goodison Park. Calvert-Lewin had scored three in three days over Christmas and went on to net five more to end the season with 15 goals. Not a bad return, his best campaign to date. The 23-year-old surpassed that total at Burnley on Saturday after just 18 games, including five with England. Sean Dyche may have his opinions on the equaliser’s legitimacy but Calvert-Lewin was Everton’s predator to rescue a point. He is a force of nature just now. A force that Ancelotti felt would slow down. It has not. ‘He’s a fantastic striker. I didn’t expect this kind of consistency,’ said the Italian. ‘He’s scoring every game. It’s so important for us. It’s a big surprise and I hope it will be another surprise at the end of the season.’ Calvert-Lewin is scoring every 88 minutes in the League. His boss compared him to the greatest goalscorer he has worked with, Filippo Inzaghi. Ancelotti feels Calvert-Lewin is faster, deadlier in the air and stronger than Inzaghi. The movement still needs work, the focus in the box, yet watching the way he timed a trot beyond Ben Mee to bundle Richarlison’s centre past Nick Pope suggests he is getting there. Gareth Southgate was in the Bob Lord Stand taking notes. ‘The important thing for him is consistency,’ Ancelotti added. ‘He’s really improved in the box, the movement is outstanding.’ Injury problems exist for Everton, however, ahead of the visit of Chelsea to Goodison Park next weekend.
Fabian Delph filled in on the left on Saturday but suffered a hamstring injury. Lucas Digne remains absent. ‘We have enough,’ Ancelotti said. ‘I’m positive. Seamus Coleman is recovering. We have to adapt.’ BURNLEY (4-4-2): Pope 7.5; Lowton 7, Tarkowski 6, Mee 6.5, Taylor 6; Brady 7 (Benson 86min), Westwood 6.5, Brownhill 7.5, McNeil 6; Rodriguez 6.5 (Barnes 75, 6), Wood 5. Subs not used: Peacock-Farrell, Pieters, Vydra, Long, Dunne. Scorer: Brady 3. Manager: Sean Dyche 7. EVERTON (3-4-3): Pickford 7.5; Godfrey 7, Mina 6.5, Keane 6.5; Iwobi 7, Doucoure 6.5 (Sigurdsson 81), Allan 6.5 (Tosun 89), Delph 6 (Gomes 29, 7); Rodriguez 6.5, Calvert-Lewin 7.5, RICHARLISON 8. Subs not used: Lossl, Holgate, Bernard, Davies. Scorer: Calvert-Lewin 45+3. Manager: Carlo Ancelotti 7. Referee: Anthony Taylor 6.