Everton are a team that seems to have been resurrected at last, and although the manner of Saturday’s win was far from vintage, those three points are truly vital.
After all, it has propelled them into 15th in the Premier League table, just one point behind Crystal Palace, and four points clear of the drop zone.
However, they are still yet to learn the outcome of their latest PSR case, with the result expected today.
Regardless, should they continue to pick up big points in key fixtures, it will likely not matter. The bulk of such form will rely on the continued form of one man though.
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker proven right
Speaking on this morning’s iteration of The Rest is Football podcast, the trio of Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards briefly glossed over Everton’s two fine results throughout the week.
Naturally, their focus was on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who ended his goalless streak which had stretched back into December with two crucial finishes, the first to snatch a point from Newcastle United, and the second to claim all three against relegation rivals Burnley.
However, the former two pundits were more pleased with themselves, as they had made a prediction regarding the forward which has since come to fruition.
Lineker noted: ‘For those that weren’t staying up really late for the midweek Match of the Day’s, there was a bit where Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he had scored his first goal in a hell of a long time with a penalty in midweek.
‘As football happens, he scored again didn’t he.’ Shearer interjected: ‘We did say that didn’t we!’
The former Leicester City, Everton and Barcelona striker agreed: ‘We did say it would happen and it did, and it was just one of them where he closes down the keeper and it just smacks it into him and it goes in. It’s mad how your luck can change once you get that goal.’
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could hit form at perfect time for Everton
As Lineker notes, when confidence returns and you break that duck, everything seems to fall for you.
On Saturday, that resulted in a hugely fortuitous goal in a crucial game, which actually decided the outcome of the 1-0 win.
To claim victory in such a manner is completely unlike Everton, who have now put themselves in a position of strength regarding avoiding relegation once again.
And now, with all-important clashes with the likes of Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Luton Town on the horizon, the Toffees will hope to crush the spirit of their relegation rivals with a string of fine results.
Should Calvert-Lewin’s return to form continue throughout these fixtures, it could come at the perfect time to ensure safety is attained once again.
With two in two now, and fortune clearly shining down upon the 27-year-old, such a glowing endorsement from two legendary English strikers of an era gone by, confidence should certainly be flowing throughout the former Sheffield United marksman…