MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 21:17:25| >> :120:5180:5180:

Calvert-Lewin acknowledges "big responsibility" of Everton's number nine

Calvert-Lewin acknowledges
© Reuters
The 22-year-old scored twice in the win over Chelsea.

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin wants to earn the right to call the number nine shirt his own – with a little help from the man who wore it to such great effect in the late 1980s.

That man is Duncan Ferguson and now as caretaker manager he will have taken great satisfaction from the 22-year-old's two goals in the 3-1 win over Chelsea.

The Sheffield-born forward has always been a hard-working willing runner but the currency with which he is judged has always been in short supply and it is an area he knows he has to improve on.

Calvert-Lewin has never scored more than eight club goals in a season but his double – his first since playing for Northampton against Carlisle in League Two in October 2015 – took his tally to seven for the current campaign.

And some encouraging words from Ferguson have clearly helped.

"It is a big number and comes with big responsibility," said the Calvert-Lewin on his decision to request the number nine shirt this season.

"For me it is a privilege to wear the number nine and I want to repay the club for putting the faith in me and giving me the number.

"I asked for the number and it means a lot, I want to lead the line like I did in this game.

"I'm confident that I am capable of putting in performances that warrant wearing the number nine. To top it off with two goals I'm over the moon.

"I've got a good relationship with Dunc. I've worked alongside him for three years now, since I started training with the first team and he's always backed me and worked closely with me to help my game.

"To have him on the touchline, it was important that I repaid him with my performance. To celebrate with him was a special moment."

On the advice he received from the caretaker boss before kick-off Calvert-Lewin added: "He just said 'Work as hard as you can and play free. Enjoy the game'.

"The system (4-4-2) we played was slightly different. Richy (Richarlison) and me up top is something we haven't done before but it paid off.

"We both have legs, we can both be physical on our day and it gelled. Credit to Dunc for changing it up and going for that."

ID:382241: cacheID:382241:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3518:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
General view inside Everton's Goodison Park on November 3, 2018
Read Next:
Everton investigate reports of homophobic chanting during Chelsea clash
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!