Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been in the form of his life so far this season. The 23-year-old has netted 10 goals in nine league matches this campaign and leads the Premier League scoring charts. He’s scored the same amount of goals as Manchester City.
Calvert-Lewin has scored 13 goals in 11 appearances across all competitions. Next up for him and Everton are Leeds United in Saturday evening’s clash at Goodison Park.
Everton ended a four-game winless run with a narrow win at Fulham last time out. Calvert-Lewin netted twice, but it was the return of Richarlison that transformed the side’s fortunes in the final third.
Calvert-Lewin has netted in every game he has played alongside the former Watford forward, but scored just once in three attempts when he was not present.
Calvert-Lewin is the focal point of Everton’s attack with Richarlison on the left and James Rodriguez on the right. The latter duo like to cut inside, prompting the full-backs to overlap and provide attacking width.
As per BBC Sport, Calvert-Lewin scores a goal every 79 minutes, with a conversation rate of 40 percent and a shot accuracy of 68 percent. The striker’s biggest strength is his aerial ability, and that’s what Leeds will have to guard against.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side like to get crosses into the box for Calvert-Lewin in attack. They used a 3-4-3 formation last weekend and could continue with that shape on Saturday, with the wing-backs stretching the play and getting into crossing positions. Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas will have to try and stop those deliveries by any means necessary.
Southampton and Manchester United both defeated the Toffees and denied Calvert-Lewin any genuine goalscoring opportunities. Everton lacked aggression in both games, and Leeds could subdue them by executing their usual game plan of high energy and heavy pressing.
If Everton are not allowed to settle into their rhythm, they tend to struggle. Leeds could get joy from applying pressure across the pitch, particularly whenever Rodriguez - Everton’s most technically gifted player - gets the ball. All this will help to cut the supply to Calvert-Lewin.
Saturday’s game at Goodison could be an open encounter between two teams who like to attack. if Leeds can succeed in keeping Calvert-Lewin quiet, they will have a much better chance of collecting all three points.
