Dominic Calvert-Lewin was in tears last season as his struggles with injury saw no let-up.
For the Everton striker, a season plagued with injury was unfamiliar territory with a lot of pressure, not just professionally but personally. Calvert-Lewin needed to get fit and make a return to football for his own sake.
After scoring the winner for his side in the EFL Cup third round against an Aston Villa side that were unbeaten in 10 home games and five in this fixture alone, he received a hero’s embrace from the fans as he celebrated.
It represented a stark contrast to the forward’s last game at Villa Park, where he was booed off the pitch by his own supporters. This time around, his name echoed around the stadium at full time.
Speaking after the match, manager Sean Dyche was delighted with the striker’s contribution and goal, and despite not being 100 per cent match-fit, Dyche is positive about the next few weeks and months for his star striker.
He said: “I am very pleased for him – he has been through a lot. It is not easy when you have been through that many ups and downs in the last couple of seasons.”
Former Everton team-mate Andros Townsend gave fans a little bit of an insight into Calvert-Lewin’s lifestyle.
“He [Dominic] has never been an injury-prone player; it was not about pressure to come back and save Everton; it was for his own sake,” he said.
“Every time he broke down injured, it killed him. He is not a player who doesn’t care; he doesn’t lead a lifestyle he shouldn’t.
“He does everything he can to make sure he is the best he can be, in terms of nutrition, gym, physio – he invests so much money.”
With the past season in mind, Dyche has reassured fans that they are being “a little careful” with the striker after withdrawing him after 72 minutes.
“He will get more match fit and will get sharper; we have to be careful with him; that is why he came off,” he added.
