Premier League hits and misses: Dominic Calvert-Lewin's luck shows no sign of changing in Everton stalemate

Plus: Kevin De Bruyne shows what Man City have been missing; Armando Broja fails audition as Chelsea's stand-in No 9; Newcastle's mounting injury list catches up with them in Manchester City defeat; goal-shy Fulham fall short at Stamford Bridge and Burnley's survival bid takes another hit

Sunday 14 January 2024 17:31, UK

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The seconds, the minutes and hours keep ticking for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. 16 hours and counting without a Premier League goal since notching the winner at West Ham all the way back in September.

Everton are performing and coping admirably without him, but they need their forward talisman firing again and fast.

It would have been harsh on Aston Villa had Calvert-Lewin buried his first-half one-on-one, whose xG of 0.67 was more than double any other chance either side created all game.

But in the context of that moment, justice doesn't matter. Everton need points to drag themselves away from their FFP-induced woes and the England man may have cost his side two points in a game lacking much else in the way of clear-cut chances.

Manager Sean Dyche, who defended his front man ahead of the game, continued to support the beleaguered striker in public afterwards too.

«It was a good save, that's what stopped him today,» he said. It was a generous take to avoid any additional heat from a striker whose confidence is clearly taking a hit.

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The question for Dyche longer-term is how long he gives Calvert-Lewin to play his way back into form. Beto and Youssef Chermiti are not prolific alternatives, but there has to be some culpability, or an alternative