'Not really, no' - Dominic Calvert-Lewin gives blunt Everton response as Sky Sports plans fail

In-form Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has revealed that he’s loving life now he’s back among the goals but insists he didn’t have to make any changes to get back on track.

The 27-year-old’s penalty in the 1-1 draw at Luton Town was his fourth goal in his last five matches and he said: “It feels good. It’s what I love doing.

“I love scoring goals and it’s my job to do it. When I’m scoring goals, life feels better.”

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After becoming just the fourth Everton player to net 50 Premier League goals for the club when he netted the winner in their 1-0 victory at West Ham United on October 29, Calvert-Lewin endured a 23-match barren streak before his penalty at St James’ Park earned his side a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United on April 2. Asked if he changed anything to get back on track, Dominic Calvert-Lewin said: “Not really, no. I always believe I’m going to score goals.

“I went through a long, difficult period without scoring so it can play on your mind a bit, but you just have to keep believing that the longer you go without scoring, the closer you are to scoring.

“You have to keep believing that your next chance is the one that’s going to go in and that happened for me at Newcastle with the penalty. I’m on a good run now.”

The pressure was off Everton going into their game at Kenilworth Road after three consecutive wins at Goodison Park secured their Premier League status and given all that the club has been through this term, Calvert-Lewin acknowledged that has brought them a lot of satisfaction. He said: “The feeling is good. We’ve got a good group of lads, an honest, hardworking group and I think it reflects the philosophy of the club.

“I enjoy coming in every day with these boys, and when you look to the side of you, you know we’re all going to work for each other and dig in. That’s the most important thing when you’re trying to stay in the league.”

The striker added: “The season has had its ups and downs. Standing here now in the Premier League for next season and scoring goals, it feels good.

“If you’d asked me where I wanted to be at this stage, I’d have said that despite not scoring in the middle of the season for a while. That’s just the way it goes at times.

“Things have gone against us and it’s felt like everyone has been against us. We’ve had to stick together as a group.

“We’ve had points deducted and even putting these three games on TV, expecting us to be in a relegation scrap. Unfortunately for everyone we weren’t, tonight we could go with freedom and enjoy it.”

Without their points deductions, Everton’s on-field performances this term would have put them on 45 points now – in 12th place above Brighton & Hove Albion. That’s nine points better than last season with two games left to play and asked how they can improve on that in 2024/25 – their last-ever campaign at Goodison – Calvert-Lewin said: “I think, like tonight, it’s stepping it up a notch. Taking advantage of opportunities where we can turn the screw rather than waiting for things to happen.

“We need to go and grab the game by the scruff of the neck and take it forward. That can help us go to the next level.”