From jeers to cheers for Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Everton avoid worst start to season in 65 years by beating Brentford… with striker flavour of the month again after being booed by own fans
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored first goal of the campaign to seal win at Brentford
- The striker was booed off by sections of his own support at Aston Villa last month
- Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here
Defeat for Everton against Brentford would have made this their worst start to a season for 65 years.
Instead, this win made the journey back north sweet enough, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first goal of the season was the icing on the cake.
When the striker went off at Villa Park with a facial injury last month, he was booed off by sections of his own support. The 26-year-old responded by sarcastically giving those fans a thumbs up. Everton were two down. They went on to lose 4-0.
The impact of new signing Beto had meant not much of a fuss was made of Calvert-Lewin’s absence but for all of Beto’s impact up top — creating an outlet and causing a headache for defenders — there is still work to be done.
Shortly before half-time, the Portuguese forward was through on goal after a defence-splitting ball from Idrissa Gueye, but his scooped effort rolled wide.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his first goal of the campaign to seal victory at Brentford
Abdoulaye Doucoure scored as Everton secured a vital 3-1 win away at Brentford on Saturday
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‘The idea about Beto was to ease some of that noise around Dominic because that’s all I ever hear,’ insisted boss Sean Dyche. ‘Beto’s doing good — he’s adapting and gives us another weapon and hopefully releases some of the pressure and noise for Dom.’
With the game poised at 1-1 on the hour and Beto left without much in the tank, Dyche turned to Calvert-Lewin. Ten minutes later, the points were sealed as he celebrated in front of the travelling support after a composed finish.
‘You can see the emotion at the end with the lads and the fans,’ he said. ‘Football is a funny old game. When I came off against Aston Villa, my own fans booed me off. Today, they cheered me. I’ll relish this and take the rest with a pinch of salt.’
How Everton could do with a fit and firing Calvert-Lewin. Since the start of 2021-22, he has missed 55 games through various injuries. The last time he had anything close to a full season, he scored 21 goals.
‘You could see the reaction from all the lads,’ James Tarkowski said. ‘We know what he’s been through, so we’re just glad to see him back out there. Fingers crossed he stays fit and keeps scoring for us.’
Dyche added: ‘He’s had lots of promising moments but lots of tough times with injury. So I don’t want to over-egg it. We just want him maintaining his fitness and sharpness and to stay out there longer and longer.’
James Tarkowski headed in from a corner to haunt his old club and give the visitors a 2-1 lead
The result relieves some of the pressure on Sean Dyche after a dire start to the campaign
Everton were exceptional and controlled this game from the word go. Young players such as Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner excelled alongside senior figures like Tarkowski and the superb Abdoulaye Doucoure.
As for Brentford, Thomas Frank was perhaps left to rue his appearance on Monday Night Football, where he talked in depth about Brentford’s set-up. But Frank insisted he had little cause for concern, despite just one win in their first six league games and some boos from the home support.
‘The players have given the fans so many fantastic experiences here — we have done well in the three other home games, three good performances. It should have been two wins instead of draws but that happens as it is football,’ he said.
With no Ivan Toney until January, Rico Henry set to miss the rest of the season and Kevin Schade facing a period out after getting injured during the warm-up, Frank will desperately hope this was a one-off.
MATCH FACTS
BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Flekken 5; Roerslev 5 (Ajer 61min, 5), Collins 5, Pinnock 5, Hickey 5 (Ghoddos 73, 5); Jensen 7, Norgaard 6, Janelt 6 (Onyeka 61, 5); Mbeumo 6, Wissa 6, Lewis-Potter 6 (Olakigbe 89).
Scorer: Jensen 28.
Booked: Mbuemo, Ghoddos.
Manager: Thomas Frank 5.
EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Pickford 7; Young 6, Tarkowski 8, Branthwaite 7, Mykolenko 6; Garner 7, Gueye 7, Onana 7 (Danjuma 77), Doucoure 8, McNeil 7; Beto 7 (Calvert-Lewin 62, 7).
Scorers: Doucoure 6, Tarkowski 67, Calvert-Lewin 71.
Booked: Young, Branthwaite.
Manager: Sean Dyche 7.
Referee: Michael Oliver 7.
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