Everton have lost to Aston Villa in the Premier League in David Moyes’ first game back as manager.
The Scot will have been desperate for three points at Goodison Park to get his second spell up and running, but Everton came unstuck against a good side.
Ollie Watkins’ goal was the difference between the two sides, but Everton put in an improved performance compared to recent weeks, and some good chances were fashioned.
But it wasn’t to be on Moyes’ homecoming, and the manager will no doubt be in close contact with The Friedkin Group now regarding transfers. Because this squad needs strengthening.
It remains to be seen if Dominic Calvert-Lewin will still be an Everton player by the end of this window.
He’s coming in for criticism tonight, but pundit Alan Hutton defended the striker.
Alan Hutton says Calvert-Lewin is lacking confidence for Everton after Aston Villa defeat
Calvert-Lewin has endured a really poor season so far.
He has scored just two goals this season, his last coming in the reverse fixture against Villa all the way back in August.
Tonight he had chances, but couldn’t find the net. It’s now 16 Premier League games without scoring, and Moyes has got to get a tune out of him.
For former Premier League full-back Alan Hutton, Calvert-Lewin appears to be really struggling with his confidence.
He said on TNT Sports after the game: “They need to get in situations where they can create opportunities to score goals and I think that’s what Calvert-Lewin did. I don’t think it’s going to happen instantly.
“He’s in the right positions. You have to be in the right positions. You have to be in the right positions to score and that’s what Moyes is asking him to do.
Asked how his confidence levels look right now, Hutton admitted: “I think they’re a little bit low. He knows where the goal is, he knows the situations he has to be in, and he was there. A couple of times, a really good touch and then it was just under his feet.
“As long as he’s getting into the situations, if you give him the ball eventually things will just click. He scores one and then it goes on from there.”
Certainly, many Everton fans won’t be so defensive of Calvert-Lewin and this awful goalless run he’s on.
What Moyes said about Calvert-Lewin before Villa game
It was another night to forget for Calvert-Lewin, and it’s little wonder his confidence is low at the moment.
Ahead of the game with Villa, Moyes hinted that Calvert-Lewin would be staying at Everton, amid a lot of speculation about his future at the moment.
He said: “I think we all feel he can be the one who can be a big difference. Get his goalscoring boots back on, it’ll be a big help to Evertonians and to the manager as well.#
“We’ll give him as much confidence and help him as much as we can and we’ll give him as much practice as we can.
“But then there’s a little bit where you need the player to stand up and do his bit as well.
“But I’m just in so hopefully we’ll get him working. But I’ve told him I need him right away and he needs to start delivering.”
With those comments, it’s clear Moyes has faith in the player and believes he can come good. It’s not been a good season so far for him and his contract situation has been making people question whether his focus is 100% on Everton.
Hopefully, Moyes will help him to break his duck very soon – at least he was getting in good positions against Villa, as Hutton said.
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