DCL On How Becoming 'Student Of The Game' Has Elevated Displays

Dominic Calvert-Lewin says becoming a “student of the game” is helping him convert his enormous potential into powerhouse performances.

Englishman Calvert-Lewin has delivered successive monumental striking displays as Everton have taken four points from fixtures against Chelsea and Manchester United.

The 22-year-old netted a second-half brace in the Blues’ barnstorming 3-1 success over Chelsea at Goodison Park, before shining once again as the Toffees played out a fiercely-contested 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Calvert-Lewin’s impressive athleticism, intelligent running and bright link-up play have come to the fore in both matches, as he has led the line with maturity and confidence.

Speaking to Everton’s matchday programme, he revealed the steps he has taken as he strives to develop into a potent all-round centre forward.

“I am working on my movement and it’s not always necessarily on the training pitch,” says Calvert-Lewin.

“I get on my laptop at home and study the game.

“I am doing my homework, I am a student of the game and still learning. Analysing the finer details has helped me a lot.

“Anyone can run and run fast. You have to do it at the right time and get in positions to be as effective as possible."


Calvert-Lewin reflects on his goal at Brighton & Hove Albion on 26 October – which put Everton 2-1 up before a harsh VAR intervention turned the game on its head – as evidence of the fruits of his labour.

Having come on a substitute just two minutes previously, the striker timed his run to perfection to latch onto Mason Holgate’s though pass, before slotting a precision finish past Seagulls goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

“The goal at Brighton was very good in every way,” Calvert-Lewin says. “I can watch it and think, ‘How can I do that again and again’.

“It is no coincidence I was in that position because I am doing the work to be there.

“The next objective has to be to do it consistently.

“I am still learning about my strengths and how I am going to maximise my number of goals.”

Next up for Calvert-Lewin is a Carabao Cup quarter-final against against Leicester City at Goodison on Wednesday night.

The striker describes his display in his previous outing at the Grand Old Lady – in that 3-1 win over Chelsea – as his “number one performance for Everton”.

In an all-action display as the spearhead of the Blues attack, he contested 24 aerial duels, two more than any other Premier League player over that weekend.


He entered into 31 duels in total - another top-flight high - and no player in the division bettered his total of six shots, of which four were on target.

For Calvert-Lewin, though, it was his decisive second-half goals which made it a benchmark performance.

“To personally affect the scoreline against Chelsea, to experience that emotion of giving us a two-goal cushion, I thought, ‘What a feeling’.

“It was indescribable and you crave more of it.

“Deep down, you have to be selfish as a striker.

"To carry that expectation on my shoulders is what I’ve always wanted.

“I believe I am capable of doing it [regularly scoring]. But anyone can talk, you have to do it on the pitch.

“I feel more comfortable in front of goal this season. I am getting in better positions.

“I am trying to hone my skills and bring everything together, so it clicks how it did in the Chelsea game.

“I am making sure I give myself every chance to be the best centre-forward possible for Everton.”

Calvert-Lewin turns 23 in March but has already racked up 111 first-team appearances for the Blues.

He explains how his communication and leadership qualities have developed significantly since joining Everton from boyhood club Sheffield United in August 2016.

“You earn the respect of your teammates, you reach a point where, if you speak, your teammates listen,” he added.

“If you are leading the line, you have to be a voice, you can’t be a mute.

“You have a job to do and position to fill and that is what I try to do.

“There are times to speak and times to listen. That is a very important distinction.

“You do feel that little shift, where you have earned the lads’ respect and feel part of the team.

“For me, that happened a while ago.”

The Everton matchday programme is priced at £3.50 can be purchased outside Goodison ahead of the game or at Everton One and Everton Two stores NOW.

Click here to purchase a copy and subscribe for the 2019/20 season.

<%= PULSE.I18N.lookupKey( 'label.modalClose', '' ) %>

This video is for Season Ticket Holders, Official Members and Hospitality Members

You need to log in to watch.

If you already have an Official Membership or 22/23 Season Ticket, just login to watch the video.

If you are interested in an Official membership, you can find out how to buy one here.

Also check out our streaming FAQs.

<%= PULSE.I18N.lookupKey( 'label.modalClose', '' ) %>

This content or section of the site is available for free to Digital Members

Please login to your account or register for free to access.

To view this content you need to be a Season Ticket Holder, Hospitality Member or Official Member.

Login to watch or click below to buy an Official Membership

As well as access to live pre-season matches, Official Members receive a range of other benefits, including exclusive content and welcome pack.

MORE INFO - BUY A MEMBERSHIP - STREAMING FAQs

02:10 Wed 11 Dec 2019

INSPIRATIONAL EMILIA GETS MASCOT SURPRISE

Dominic Calvert-Lewin catches up with nine-year-old fan at Alder Hey - and invites her to lead out the team against Arsenal.