Dominic Calvert-Lewin is confident he can continue his rich form in front of goal as he vowed to keep improving under “the best possible learning experience” of manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Everton number nine made it three goals in two games since the Italian’s appointment as boss after his double steered the Blues to a 2-1 victory at Newcastle on Saturday.

Calvert-Lewin has now netted five goals in December, the 22-year-old also on target twice in the 3-1 success against Chelsea, and he is eager for more in 2020 to keep the Blues moving up the Premier League table.

“I’m just happy to be hitting the back of the net - that’s what I am there to do,” said Calvert-Lewin. “I believe I am capable of scoring goals and getting even more. The work doesn’t stop for me. I’ll continue to work hard on the training pitch to keep progressing and keep scoring more.

“I can’t do that without the work ethic of my teammates - that was fantastic today.

“[Ancelotti] is a fantastic manager who has worked with some great players. For me, as a young player, it’s the best possible learning experience I could hope for. I’ve just got to be like a sponge and take it all in. Hopefully, long may it continue.”

Calvert-Lewin also paid tribute to first-team coach Duncan Ferguson for “bringing the togetherness back in the team” during his four-game spell as caretaker manager.

Everton have now gone six matches unbeaten – including the 2-2 Carabao Cup draw against Leicester before a penalty shootout loss – and Calvert-Lewin spoke of the importance to see the squad showing their quality.

“For me personally, I’m thoroughly enjoying my football, as you can see,” he added. “For the lads, it’s been a great period and a great month.

“It was very important we did our utmost to turn around our form. Dunc came in and changed the atmosphere. We got results against big teams and we have continued the momentum and got that togetherness back in the team.

“We are getting back to where we want to be after a below-par start. It was not good enough. I’m just reiterating that it was vitality important we turned it around. No-one wanted to be where we were. You look at how tight it in that pack, we want to get into that middle cluster and then beyond.”