Dominic Calvert-Lewin has confirmed his place as Everton's penalty-taker after a pre-season conversation with Rafa Benitez.
The striker bagged his second goal in as many games to kick off the 2021/22 season on Saturday as the Blues drew 2-2 with Leeds United at Elland Road.
The England international won a spot kick after being pulled down in the box by Liam Cooper, and stepped up himself moments later to emphatically strike the dead ball into the bottom corner.
Calvert-Lewin has admitted it is a responsibility he has wanted for a long time, and was happy to speak to his new manager about it before the beginning of the season.
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The forward told evertonfc.com : “It’s something I’ve wanted for a while [becoming Everton’s penalty-taker]. I’ve been ready to step in and take that responsibility.
"I spoke to the manager before the first game of the season, we had that conversation. He put me on the pens and thankfully I put one away against Leeds.
"It’s what you practise, practise and practise for, but nothing can replicate taking it in front of a packed stadium.
"I actually didn’t hear the whistle because it was so loud! That’s why I looked at the referee [before taking it], because I didn’t know if he had blown his whistle or not.
"Then I just reset and took the penalty. It’s just about holding your nerve."
Calvert-Lewin was on international duty with England during the summer when Benitez was appointed, taking over after the surprise departure of Carlo Ancelotti.
And the striker received an instant phone call from his new boss and explained that the Spaniard kept in touch with him throughout the summer.
And the forward believes that the confidence and desire that the boss has instilled in the side already was on full display against Leeds this weekend.
"The manager called me straight away [after his appointment], just to introduce himself," he added.
"We had quite an honest chat and it made me excited to come back. He kept on checking in with me whilst I was away on holiday, too. As a player, to have your manager do that, it’s what you want.
"It gives you the confidence that, when you come back, you’re going to hit the ground running.
"The confidence and desire we showed is what we want week in and week out, whether we’re at home or away. To a man, starting me and Richy, defending from the front, we stuck in there.
"I think tactically we knew what we needed to do, to a man. I think that helps a lot. We know the way that Leeds like to play, man for man. So, it was about how we could counteract that and exploit it in the best way possible.
"It was difficult at times, but we came away with a point and, on another day, I think we’d come away with all three."
