Everton face blunt Dominic Calvert-Lewin transfer reality as West Ham supporters fume

With six goals in the past against West Ham United, the Irons share the dubious distinction alongside Newcastle United as being Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s favourite opponent in terms of his success against him. But there was no repeat of last season’s heroics on this occasion for Everton’s number nine.

Half of those strikes have come in the Premier League and all of that trio of goals have come at the London Stadium, including his landmark match-winner in the corresponding fixture just over a year ago.

On that day, the Yorkshireman, followed Romelu Lukaku (68); Duncan Ferguson (60) and Tim Cahill (56) in becoming only the fourth Everton player to reach a scoring half century in the Premier League.

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And, while he has now equalled the Australian’s tally, he’s going to be hard-pressed to fulfil his stated ambition of overhauling the Belgium international’s record this term.

After notching up the 50, Calvert-Lewin then endured a 23-game drought before he found the net again from the penalty spot to secure a late 1-1 draw at Newcastle United.

And, although he was desperately unfortunate on a couple of occasions to have efforts chalked off against Tottenham Hotspur away (disallowed) and home (credited to Jack Harrison) in between, ploughing the lone furrow in this side can often be a thankless task.

It was like that here for the 27-year-old as he toiled away for 75 minutes without any clearcut chances coming his way while even his replacement Beto, has had carved out openings as a wrecking ball ‘Plan B’ late on in the previous couple of fixtures, was unable to find a way through. If Calvert-Lewin has genuine aspirations to break Everton’s overall Premier League scoring record, then it looks likely that he’ll have to remain on Merseyside after the move to the new stadium next summer.

That of course would require the signing of a new contract and with just five weeks to go until he enters the final six months of his current deal and the potential to enter talks with overseas suitors when the Blues return to action, the clock is ticking. Ironically, West Ham and Newcastle – who had transfer talks over the summer – have been mooted as a couple of potential destinations if he does make a domestic move, but whether the goals are flowing or not, Calvert-Lewin brings much more to Everton’s attack than mere scoring alone and his presence is required to ensure the rest of this season remains free of concern.

Wing and a prayer

Dwight McNeil was defeated in his fitness battle to be available for this one, but Iliman Ndiaye continued on the left wing rather than being handed the number 10 role some have craved to see him fulfil for Everton. The tricks don’t always come off for the Senegal international but even on days like this when both sides laboured, he always brings easy on the eye entertainment value.

Casual observers might fall into the trap of thinking that the former Sheffield United man is not a natural fit for Dyche’s workmanlike teams, but he is no show pony and always puts in a tenacious shift at both ends of the pitch with a strong core a welcome addition to his twinkling toes. This week, even Sam Allardyce pointed him out as a special talent he’d noticed.

While Ndiaye came to Goodison Park with a smattering of Premier League experience, on the opposite flank, Jesper Lindstrom is very much still finding his feet in the English game. Following the late defeat at Southampton, the on-loan Napoli man was refreshingly candid about just how much both he and his Blues team-mates have to do better and in fairness after growing into the game at St Mary’s this was a considerable improvement.

The Danish international failed to find the net during the whole of last season in Italy but there are signs that he’s getting closer to breaking his Everton duck and if does that soon then hopefully more will follow. Curiously, he went closest for netting for the visitors here with a close-range header that might not be seen as his forte but like Ndiaye, he looks like someone who can make things happen in the final third if his potential is unlocked.

Not so happy Hammers

They’re thinking big at West Ham United these days and if many Evertonians remain frustrated by the standard of football being served up, at least the current Blues side have the mitigating circumstances of having the purse strings severely tightened when it’s come to squad recruitment in recent seasons. Everton are counting the cost of the profligacy of Farhad Moshiri’s earlier years which led to a brace of points deductions last season for PSR rule breaches and the financial tap won’t be turned back on until the wantaway majority shareholder’s takeover deal with the Friedkin Group is given its seal of approval.

In contrast, the not so happy Hammers have been splashing the cash in recent years but many of them have already had a belly full of Julen Lopetegui and have failed to warm to the Spaniard since he replaced David Moyes, with that frustration being heard around the ground as the Blues thwarted them. Ungrateful fans at the self-proclaimed ‘Academy of football’ should perhaps be careful what they wish for after the way considerable hordes of them grumbled their way through the Scot’s tenure despite him delivering the most consistent league finishes in their entire history and a first major trophy in over 40 years.

In truth, whether it’s been the London Stadium or the Boleyn Ground before it, West Ham United away has proven to be something of a happy hunting ground for Everton and this result ensures it’s only three defeats in 19 matches away to the Irons which if you consider is equal to half a Premier League season, that’s an impressive record indeed. While the Blues’ current campaign is still stuttering, this share of the spoils at least ensured we were spared another meltdown during the international break and Dyche could point to the fact that after losing their first four, his team have now been beaten in just one of their last seven outings.