Everton were resolute and relentless in the claiming of yesterday’s huge result, seeing off the challenge that West Ham United posed to claim a second away victory of the league campaign.
Already the Toffees have matched their win tally from last season’s travels, having brushed aside their tough start to the campaign to find themselves not far from mid-table.
The hope will be that they can capitalise on another impressive result, and use it as a springboard to elevate themselves to new heights, especially with a potential 12-point deduction on the horizon.
In a game that seemed set to be a bore draw, with little quality from both sides shining through, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s moment of magic ended up being the difference.
However, it was not the finishing of his 26-year-old striker that pleased Sean Dyche, but the mere presence of the 6 foot 2 marksman, who always leads the line with power and poise.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, the former Burnley man noted: ‘We know that Dom is sharp, he’s getting sharper and fitter, I think he has worked all day with Ducs [Abdoulaye Doucoure], doing a lot of legwork for the team.
‘I think it’s a really great finish, Ducs sort of controls it, just comes away from him but great turn and finish. Those snapshots are very difficult to defend, turn and hit as I call it, very difficult for defenders so very good finish.’
How did Dominic Calvert-Lewin play vs West Ham?
It is worth noting that the England international did far more than just score the winning goal to merit his match-high 7.9 rating, as he remained as tireless as ever in spearheading Dyche’s relentless front line.
Winning to chase every lost ball, and compete for every header, in the end, he would win six of the nine aerial duels he competed in and even created one big chance, via Sofascore.
As such, he has been lauded by most, but it is his own glowing testimony that stands out among all others, detailing his plans to surpass the three ahead of him in Everton’s all-time top scorers in the Premier League list.
His ambitions are lofty, but the quality on the pitch he has begun recording is indicative of a man possessed to get his career back on track after so many years of injury heartache.
The praise from his boss will do his confidence wonders, not that it seems to need a boost as he draws up four goals across all competitions for the season thus far.
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