Everton supporters, as a fanbase that has been starved of any real enjoyment in recent years, are understandably allowing themselves to get carried away with their start to the season.
Sitting 14th in the league and into the quarter-finals of the cup, at last things seem to be looking up for the Toffees who have battled the drop so valiantly across the last two campaigns.
With an eight-point gap now established between themselves and the relegation zone, already it feels like they can start looking up instead of down, towards a brighter and more hopeful future.
However, that has not stopped the media from suggesting otherwise, with pundit Perry Groves offering a reality check, speaking to talkSPORT.
That being said, he still fancies their chances of ensuring survival, outlining three stars who will be key for Sean Dyche if they are to achieve success: ‘But I saw Everton at West Ham when they won 1-0 and Sean Dyche had his team very well structured. Calvert-Lewin makes a difference by bringing other people into the team.
‘At the back, [James] Tarkowski and [Jarrad] Branthwaite, I know they conceded two goals, but they’re a steady centre-half pairing.
‘For all the turmoil Everton are going through off the pitch, they’re safe on the pitch. There’s no danger of them going down as long as Calvert-Lewin stays fit.’
How important is Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
It is no coincidence that in the two seasons in which the former Sheffield United finisher has suffered from injuries, Everton have struggled.
A lack of goals has been a persisting problem for the Merseyside outfit, and so removing their top marksman from the picture presented a daunting reality.
With not enough contributions from out wide, and barely any coming from the midfield, it became glaringly obvious just how reliant they had become on the 26-year-old.
After all, during the 2020/21 term, his last one where he enjoyed a clean bill of health, the Englishman would notch 21 times across all competitions, assisting a further five.
Even the season before that he had scored 13 in the Premier League too.
He was growing into a star more than capable at this level, with his injuries cruel and untimely.
Again, it marks little coincidence that upon his return this campaign, in which Dyche has perfectly reintegrated him thus far, Everton have returned to form.
Groves’ suggestion on Calvert-Lewin is so clear to see, with the foundation built by the two centre-backs an equally important addition to this new-look outfit.
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