Match-winner Dominic Calvert-Lewin believes Everton’s “determination, intensity and attitude” were key to Sunday’s hard-fought 1-0 victory at West Ham United – and says the Blues must display these qualities across their final four games of the season to achieve European qualification.
Calvert-Lewin’s clinical 24th-minute strike proved the difference as Everton recorded an 11th Premier League away win of the campaign. The goal was Calvert-Lewin’s 16th in the top-flight this term – only Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane has netted more non-penalty goals (17).
The 24-year-old’s match-defining effort was of the highest quality. The England striker raced onto a precision through pass from Ben Godfrey before coolly slotting past Lukas Fabianski in the West Ham goal.
Everton’s attacking threat for the remainder of the game predominantly came on the counter, while the Blues also defended with impressive resolve and authority. West Ham were unable to muster a single shot on target at London Stadium.
“It was a tough shift,” said Calvert-Lewin, who sunk to his knees when the final whistle sounded after a tireless and unselfish centre-forward performance.
“It was about determination, hard work and sticking together. That’s what got us the three points.
“We went 1-0 up and we had a few chances. But we mainly sat behind the ball and dug in and worked hard. It wasn’t pretty but I think, for the effort we put in, we deserved the three points.
“For the goal, we knew we’d be able to expose them in behind. So, when Richy showed for the ball to feet, I’ve just timed my run [in behind the West Ham defence] perfectly – we’ve been working on that in training – and Godders has put a perfect weight of pass in. Then it was just a touch and finish.”
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Everton remain eighth in the Premier League but are now just three points behind fifth-placed West Ham and have a game in hand on the east London side.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team will aim to sustain their exceptional Premier League away form when they travel to Aston Villa on Thursday (6pm BST). Only Manchester City and Manchester United have won more points on the road than the Blues' 36 this term.
“Every game is getting more important from now until the end of the season,” added Calvert-Lewin.
“We have to keep believing going into every game – and play to win every game, because we have to if we want to finish in Europe.
“We’ve gone into matches before with momentum and not taken the three points from them. For me, this game’s done – now we need to go into the next game with the same intensity and attitude to go and win.
“The previous matches don’t matter now. We have to win each game coming up.”
