MY ACCOUNT
Everton’s struggles in attack have left their Premier League future hanging in the balance.
The Merseysiders have failed to create or capitalise on chances consistently this season and now find themselves embroiled in a scrap for survival as a result.
The return of talismanic centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin from a lengthy injury looks like a major boost ahead of a pivotal run-in, however.
Ahead of tonight’s six-pointer with fellow strugglers Leicester, we look at how Sean Dyche must make the most of the striker’s presence to help solve his side’s attacking issues.
Demanding more
After their recent goalless draw with Crystal Palace, Toffees centre-half James Tarkowski urged his attacking team-mates to step their game up.
The ex-Burnley ace said: “We were quite disappointed, we’re in a real battle and we need more.
“We had the opportunity to pick up three points. To grind it out with 10 men is nice but there’s way more to come from us.
“We defended well — we had conceded a few goals recently, so that’s a plus. But we need to do more and expect more from our forward players.
“We have some really talented boys but we need more from them.”
Cal for help
In a timley boost, Calvert-Lewin returned to the side against Crystal Palace for the first time since February.
As well as his injury woes, the 11-cap England international has endured a tough season on the pitch — scoring just one goal in 907 minutes this season and missing four of his five big chances.
However, he has added quality to Everton’s attack in other ways, creating five chances and completing 12 of his 19 attempted take-ons.
Calvert-Lewin’s runs into the box also drag defenders out of position, while his aerial prowess helps Everton get up the pitch.
So far, he has won an impressive 44 aerial duels this term and that suggests 26-year-old can be a focal point against the Foxes this evening.
Dom’s not enough
While Calvert-Lewin’s return is a plus, Everton boss Dyche believes it will take far more than just his re-introduction to fix the Toffees’ attacking troubles.
And the no-nonsense tactician has also suggested that rushing the No9 back from knocks previously has done little to aid the cause.
Dyche, 51, said: “I haven’t got magic dust, so we have to work on a process that can create more so the players eventually take ownership of that.
“But it’s not just about one player. Dom is a very good player but it’s about others doing it as well. When we came in, his physical stats were nowhere near where they should have been in the past.
“It seems the previous process here was ‘get him fit, put him back in the team’. But we can’t keep doing that because it hasn’t worked.”
Supporting cast
Everton’s goalscoring issues may actually stem from problems with their supply line.
Alex Iwobi has registered six assists this season, while wingers Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil have so far combined to create 13 big chances.
The latter duo have also completed a total of 71 crosses — an area in which Calvert-Lewin thrives — but all three will have to step up their efforts if the Toffees are to survive.
Fighting Foxes
Next, Everton clash with Dean Smith’s Leicester.
The Foxes find themselves with the opposite problem. They are able to find the back of the net regularly, scoring 44 goals, but struggle defensively.
They have managed only six clean sheets in the top tier this season, the last of which came against West Ham back in November.
Tonight’s trip therefore represents a golden opportunity for Everton to rediscover their goalscoring touch — if they do not, they may be headed for a first-ever Premier League relegation.
