Everton and its supporters will want to remember Saturday’s triumph over Nottingham Forest because it signified a significant step towards safety.
Sean Dyche, on the other hand, will be eager to pull his players back down to earth as soon as possible, reminding them that they have two chances to build on such a fantastic victory with home results.
It will not be easy, however, with Newcastle United visiting Goodison Park on Thursday and Chelsea visiting on Sunday.
While it was a near-flawless performance against the Tricky Trees, there was a clear weakness up front given the caliber difference between Beto and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
With the latter ruled out due to a calf complaint, the former deputised with varying effectiveness.
However, Dyche would offer a glimmer of hope for the Thursday clash, speaking after the game: ‘Dom was touch and go, it is a tight one with him because of his past. I think as long as he has come through this weekend he has got a good chance for later in the week.’
How important is Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Everton?
The Portuguese marksman tried his best to provide a vital focal point up top, with his physicality proving useful on multiple occasions, his lack of cutting-edge and hold-up play did cause them to struggle at times.
Meanwhile, Calvert-Lewin has already demonstrated his value to Everton on multiple occasions, with his absence probably being the most significant indicator in recent years.
Everton have suffered over the two seasons in which the Englishman has been beset by injuries, despite having lately recaptured some semblance of form and expressed his grand objective while with the Merseyside club.
After all, in the year preceding his illness, the 26-year-old scored 21 goals in all competitions while also assisting on five others.
Then, when compared to other strikers across Europe, Calvert-Lewin would rank in the top 8% for aerials won per 90.
These figures combine to emphasise the quality he brings as the spearhead of Dyche’s robust system, with the 52-year-old manager surely delighted at the prospect of his absence only being a short one.
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