Dominic Calvert-Lewin has shared his thoughts on Everton 's promising season-opening 1-0 win at Tottenham and praised new signings James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Calvert-Lewin bagged the only goal of the game in the second half as Carlo Ancelotti's side picked up three points to start the 2020/21 Premier League campaign.
The striker admits he was delighted to get on the scoresheet in the opener and he also had praise for Rodriguez and Doucoure as they made their league debuts.
He told Sky Sports: “I’m always happy to get on the scoresheet. When you get the three points, it’s an even better feeling. With the new lads that have come in, it was important that we got off to a good start. We’ve not had a lot of time to gel, but it seemed to click well today. Everyone won their individual battles and we played well.
“I thought they (Rodriguez and Doucoure) were fantastic, the two new lads in the middle of the pitch - they’ve got legs - and I think you saw that today. It’s important against teams like Spurs on such a big pitch that we get about the pitch and work hard. That then allows the creative players to get on the ball and slip me in
“I think for the first game of the season, it’s important to get off to a good start and do the basics well. I think I could’ve done a little bit better with a couple of chances, but it’s a bit of rustiness perhaps. When you’re against a team like Spurs with the quality they’ve got, as a centre-forward, you’ve got to kind of be cute sometimes, win free-kicks when you have to and stretch the play. It’s a great ball from Lucas. With the quality he’s got, I’ve just got to be in the area and be ready to nod it in."
Calvert-Lewin also opened up on what it's like to train with former Everton hero turned coach, Duncan Ferguson.
On training with Ferguson, he added: “We do. He puts it in, to be fair. He’s still got a good left and right foot. We don’t overdo it and work on it too much. I think he recognises that it’s a natural strength of mine and I like heading the ball. With the quality that we’ve got out wide, it’s important for me to be in the areas.
“I thoroughly enjoyed it today because we had runners - we had legs up the pitch - when we’re keeping the ball and playing, it allows me to get into positions and get the wingers in and it creates more chances. It can be a lonely one up there sometimes, but today we worked hard and won our individual battles and that allowed us to play.
“I was excited. I couldn’t wait to play today. Not only because it’s the first game of the season, but with the quality we’ve brought in, for me, as a centre-forward, these boys have played at a very good level in the Champions League. That’s where we aspire to go, so I was just itching to get out on the pitch and to get the goal, it was a great feeling.”
