Gabriel Agbonlahor claims 27-year-old Everton man has lost his pace and is ‘not the same player’ any more

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Everton were good value for their narrow win over Burnley last weekend, although the manner in which they snatched it was far from convincing.

A hugely fortunate goal separated the sides, although Sean Dyche was left incensed as he saw another blatant penalty shout ignored and a few other golden chances squandered.

On another day, they could and should have scored three or four, especially if the Clarets had deservedly been reduced to nine men.

Alas, all that matters is the three points, although one pundit has inexplicably taken aim at Everton’s hero from last week.

Gabby Agbonlahor makes questionable Dominic Calvert-Lewin claim

Speaking live on talkSPORT earlier this morning (08/04, 07:42 am), Gabby Agbonlahor, who was hardly the most proficient striker himself, has been poking holes in Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s game.

The forward, who scored two crucial goals in as many games last week, secured four points for his team which has propelled them to 15th in the Premier League table.

They are now looking up at Crystal Palace rather than back over their shoulder for a refreshing change, and will feel quietly confident of turning over an out-of-sorts Chelsea side too.

However, Agbonlahor clearly did not watch the 27-year-old across his two performances, in which he capped off industrious displays with key goals.

He instead sought to lambast him, noting: ‘He’s just not the same player, he looks like he’s lost a yard, isn’t getting into the same positions, not as clinical.

‘They’ve scored the second-least amount of goals in the Premier League. 32 goals they’ve scored, same as Burnley and 30 is Sheffield United. If they’re not scoring goals it’s going to be hard.’

Gabby Agbonlahor has got this one so wrong

Whilst few can argue with the goalscoring figures of the entire Everton team, of which the bulk of the burden does fall on their striker, to suggest he has lost a yard of pace suggests to me that he simply has not been watching Calvert-Lewin at all.

After all, despite his proficiency having waned, having made him statistically the worst finisher in the division back in Febraury, his all-around play has never wavered.

He has remained as fit and sharp as ever, with his speed having arguably increased if anything.

There was one moment against Burnley which detailed his immense turn of pace, as he raced after Ashley Young’s floated ball into the channel.

Collecting possession, he cut inside past one defender, and then the sheer speed he exhibited with the ball at his feet was frightening, scorching into the box before firing a left-footed shot over the bar.

His work rate has remained as professional as ever despite his goalscoring form faltering too, and now with two goals in two games, that seems to have been rectified at last too.

So, it seems strange for Agbonlahor to emerge now, during Calvert-Lewin’s best moment in months, to lambast him. He is very much the same player, and could have an imperious end to the season now to prove him and many others wrong.