Calvert-Lewin scores on his England debut

Good luck to Dom and the rest of the lads playing tonight! Fingers crossed we have no injuries!

Pleased for him, surprised these internationals are going ahead though!

It's not exactly a team to set the juices running (who watches England these days) but hopefully Calvert-Lewin will chip in with a goal or two to maintain his confidence levels, and Keane will maintain his decent start to the season and help keep a clean sheet at the back.

Torn loyalties tonight. Want Wales to win, and be nice to see Dominic do well. COYBs, Cymru am Byth - ymlaen hogiau!!

Good luck to Dominic tonight, he's working hard, improving all the time, and so this is his reward, for the stick he's taken, and brushed aside, just on this website alone!

Hope both Irelands win.

Don't understand the contempt for England, I always support them. Gutted the Euros were cancelled, I had some tickets.

Dom was buzzing when he got the text, it means the world to him. Do the nation proud.

I don't recognise England... is this the B team?

A memory of Coleman getting seriously injured playing for Ireland, and I just can't wait for these England games to be over with no injuries to Everton players. Hope Dom enjoys his time and plays well though.

Well said, Kieran. I was going to post that I hated international games, hated the jingoism, hated, in fact,every aspect of it. Then I remenbered it gives me great pleasure when both Irelands win. That is why I supported Seamus when he got stick on here and why I was so evangelical about Shane Duffy.

The day Shane was sold was a like a fucking knife through my heart. God knows, I think I can say that it hurt me more than it hurt him. So, what I am saying is that international games are pointless unless they involve Ireland.

I feel a bit for Calvert-Lewin because that's not a very good England side.

Andy

I think Iceland apart, Northern Ireland are the team that most punches above their weight. Good luck to them. The Republic, don't have the depth they once did but they still have that fighting spirit also.

Meanwhile Gylfi has scored for Iceland.

Got to agree with Danny (2), why are these friendly internationals being played while the virus is still rearing it's very ugly head,

Still if they are going ahead I hope Dominic continues his good early season form and naps a couple of goals for England while not having to worry about the result, that's me not Dominic!!

Everton ladys is more exiting than this!

Dave #13,

It's so teams can get prepared for the hugely important League of Nations. We saw how meaningful that tournament is after last season ended with Germany embarrassingly relegated only for them to say "Scrap that, we are just revamping the whole thing anyway" – so all those promotion/relegation battles were in vain.

The other purpose of it being of course to qualify for Euro 2021 if you are not among the 40 percent of European teams which have already qualified for that bloated tournament.

Gylfi on for a hatrick

Yes go on Son

DCL first goal for England

DCL!

Get in Dom

Superb dom...don't let all them strangers hug you lad..lol.

DCL can't stop scoring. Great delivery by Grealish.

Dom-unerring.

DCL, DCL, He gets the ball and scores a goal, that's our DCL

And didn't you love Keane's grin? He was SO happy for Dom.

Dat's niiiiiiiiiiiiice.

Mike, how good must Dom feel right now. How wonderful, how good, what joy!! It must be up there with how I felt when I nailed "Occasion" in my Spelling Bee. Yeah, I know,... but you get your memories where you can!!! These are great hours to be an Evertonian. Let us enjoy these great minutes.

Just go boy.

All very pedestrian, but Calvert-Lewin England's best forward. Michael Keane their best defender.

Very generous of Wales' centre-backs to leave Dom the freedom of the 6-yard box to score.

I hope Carlo is taking notes and targets Gomez in the derby. Just not switched on as a defender, is he?

A little bit of a hang in the air for that finish. Great to see him so confident right from the start.

Jay Wood @28, I was thinking just that about Gomez. Will Mane's 14-day isolation be up? I take it he hasn't been training...

Andy, mine was "secretary".

Well done, Dom, you've made us proud.

Now I can turn the game off.

Well done Dom. Biggest cheer of the night reserved for you being subbed, though.

DCL makes his debut, scores, gets subbed after 57 minutes. Ideal.

Good to see him taken off.

Well Dom's substitution suggests he'll be starting in the next game I reckon.

That's it for me, no sign of a Wales win but Calvert Lewin played well, now taken off.

Mike (32),:yes time for me to switch off as well, no further interest in this game.

I suspect Dom being subbed so early is a sign he's going to be playing in the qualifiers.

And what a player Grealish looks. Shades of Gazza for me.

Well in Dom, I know it's only a friendly but you have done it lad, that will only serve you well, and your confidence and reputation will soar, don't let it get in the way, of all things Everton!

Good to see him get the goal and coming off early an added bonus.

Fingers crossed he is used sparingly the next two games, before the derby.

I think he's off early precisely because Southgate is going to use him heavily in at least one of those games, Brian, same as Joe Gomez who again showed that he can be rattled by closing him down but is probably one of the favourites for CB duties for England.

Keane, who has done pretty well apart from one underhit chipped pass across the back line, is the one who is probably going to be kicking his heels for the rest of the internationals in my view.

A good start by DCL and no surprise he scored.

Wales have a small pool of players and having to play without Ramsey and Bale just made things more difficult for them even against a makeshift England side.

Just glad DCL scored and didn't get injured.

Agreed, Si, Keane was putting on a passing show from the back -- long switches, short chips, straight outlets on the ground -- before he shanked that one lofted pass towards the right. Funny, he's had the same profile in his last two games for us -- lovely passing all over the park until marred by one blunder hit directly to an opponent.

All in all very good from him.

£30 million on his price ticket for when the "big boys" come a-sniffin?

We are one of the "big boys" now. If others come calling, it's time to start acting like one.

Alan@45: If we have to start talking price tickets for the 'big boys' as soon as any of our players come really good, then we're going nowhere and it's not worth bothering.

We're supposed to be one of the big boys now, that's why we've got Ancelotti.

This incessant talk of how much we'll get, whether it's for DCL, Richie, Digne, or anyone else, is very small club mentality. Enough of it.

Love that mentality, Stan, lets keep it up.

Damn right Stan.

For the first time for nearly 30 years, I feel that good players will want to be here.

Whenever we have had someone we felt we could build a team around since then they've gone trophy hunting elsewhere. Not always with any success. But imagine that we produced a young Rodwell, Stones, Rooney now. Would the grass be looking greener in Manchester, London or anywhere else?

This is a ride that we have to enjoy. It might not last. But I'm aboard for the duration.

And by the way, Mike and Andy, mine is necessary!

Got his cap, got his goal now come home and put your feet up until the RS.

Same for all our guys who are away on these shit games.

Alan #45,

We are the big boys now! COYB

What does our Dunc do at our club? Why is he there Other than save our club last year and have a huge influence on Calvert-Lewin's career!!

Calvert-Lewin is a Championship player at best. We are all experts aren't we...

Mary @ 52, let's leave all that sarcastic stuff out of it, eh? We're a happy and united club now, let's just praise the boss, the team and the owner. COYB

Aside from Dom's goal, I loved the way that the first two players over to congratulate Coady were Keane and Calvert-Lewin. They're loving their game at the moment. Long may it continue.

Stan, I was being ironic, hence I put "big boys" in inverted commas. I agree with you about the way things are going but I'm sure you'll agree that the media etc will start trying, at some point, to unsettle the lad with talk of him deserving to be elsewhere.

COYB

Made up for Dom last night. Wasn't going to bother watching this but saw Dom and Keane were starting so watched until Dom came off. He really is becoming a force to be reckoned with and is pumping it at the gym. Starting to get a physique (and a leap) like CR7.

Off topic, and I know we can't utter the Ev... word often enough, but why is it that on the Everton Direct website all the gear has to be prefixed "Everton" ie Everton hoodie, Everton polo, Everton T shirt, Everton keyring etc.etc...
It's not like they're selling Manc, RS or Tranmere kit as well. We won't get confused.

The Dominator!

Great goal from the lad and it's clear due to his early withdrawal that he is in the manager's plans for Sunday, probably won't start but will be involved. In a better starting eleven, he will score plenty of goals for his country.

Puts Everton and himself firmly on the map, it's great to be Blue.

Well said, Jeff @ 46.

Kim (56),

It's an established marketing ploy. Before you realise it, you won't be able to see those items anywhere else without thinking of Everton and, if, on seeing one, and deciding you need one / want to buy one – your subconscious will tell you to get the "Everton" one.

Alan @55: Sorry mate, I should have known! Yes, there were comments last night on the BBC Live Feed, saying that Calvert-Lewin wouldn't be at Everton for long. In one sense, they're cheeky sods but, in another sense, it's underlining how good our players are.

Alan #45,

Are you by any chance Calvert-Lewin's Greedy Grasping agent???

What surprised me about Dominic last night was the sight of him in full flight running after a pass, how powerful and strong he looked. That England shirt must have added pounds of strength to his game; he's always had the ability.

I looked at Danny Ings, a good player, just after seeing Dominic and he looked puny in comparison.

Dominic looked good last night; he'll look much better when he plays for a better team, Everton, next week in the derby.

He's the complete centre forward at the moment. Great instinctive finisher, best header in the country, quick, strong, great anticipation.

His challenge is to carry this on for the season.

Not be a 'purple patch' player, but a complete, world class striker. If he goes 2 or 3 games without a goal, to not lose confidence and quickly take the chance when it comes.

There will be games where he'll be marked by 2 men, games where it doesn't quite fall for him. But if he can take them in his stride, then he'll be a 20-25 goal striker for a number of years.

Also, when he does miss a chance, and when he does go a game or two without scoring, let's not jump on his back and say he's actually not all that good and we should sell while his stock is up.

Dave @62: Yes, he's physically an awesome athlete as well as having a good range of skills for such a big bloke. He could easily pass for one of them Spartan warriors in the film 300.

Very glad that Southgate played Dom through the middle where he belongs and now he knows he can rely on him. Time for Everton to offer a new contract I think.

The Sig outdid him though scoring twice for Iceland, but sad that Ireland are out of Euros. Might save Seamus from injury though. Hope all our players survive intact. Colombia and Brazil are risks for us.

Defenders must hate playing against Calvert-Lewin now. He has always been a menace, but now he has gone up a level.

He is stronger and more athletic than most of the defenders he is coming up against, he has more confidence and is getting the best advice a player can get. He has gone from trying to score to expecting to score.

Looking forward to the derby next week, and it's been a while since I said that to myself. We have got the team now to start putting things right, we can put a big marker down next Saturday.

My paper this morning praising Calvert-Lewin's goal streak and pointing to Carlo's impact on his play - he has "curbed his natural roaming instincts and sharpened himself into a pure penalty-box killer".

Another interesting thing is that Dom is often getting the breakthrough goal.

It was common to point out how Lukaku often got the 'finishing' goals, scoring when already leading. But Dom seems to get the early goal to break the deadlock.

Fran, I'm really enjoying the player Calvert-Lewin is turning into.

But that isn't true what you state about Lukaku; he scored all the time with an average midfield. Lukaku is world class, and who knows with Carlo where Dom may get to also.

Dave @62 – Good point about stepping up to club football.

As a kid, I'd ask "How many of our guys are good enough to play for England?"

I looked at that team last night and, man for man, how many of the England players would even get on our bench?

Not the keeper, who is having as inconsistent a time as Jordan. Coady would be fun to have around but he wouldn't be in the starting XI. Trippier I have always rated.

In midfield, there wasn't a player on show all night for England who we would be saying we should bid for.

And if he wasn't tainted, Ings could make the bench.

This England team was the poorest I've ever seen. Keane and Calvert-Lewin stood out. But it's a sad indictment of the Premier League set-up that most club sides would give the national team a real kicking.

Listening to Radio Merseyside this morning sport report. "Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored his first England goal last night, whilst ex Liverpool Striker, Danny Ings scored a spectacular overhead kick, and ex Liverpool Academy player Connor Coady Scored the third".

Now an interview with... yes, you've guessed it: Connor Coady. I think I actually hate all media outlets more every day...

Fran,

I also noticed that Lukaku is still popping in most of his goals later in games. It obviously isn't always (before someone pulls out some evidence) but recently he scored and I noticed that the game had already been put to bed.

Calvert-Lewin comes across as a thoroughly decent, well brought up human being, very grounded and willing to work hard to improve himself.

He makes me proud of him and our fantastic club. Well done, lad!

Eddie,

I think Lukaku slotting the winner in the recent Europa League Final has put to bed for good arguments as to whether he can do it on the biggest stage.

One thing I noticed about Calvert-Lewin, as others have said: he must be a nightmare to play against. He's now built up to a formidable degree.

There may in fact be a danger of him becoming a little top heavy, maybe too much time spent in the gym, which may affect his speed later on.

Congrats to Calvert-Lewin for his call up and opening his goal account at senior level for England. Let's be honest, he scores the winner at U21 level competition, the natural step is to progress. He's done just that.

I hope saint Harry Kane (to those at Spurs) is looking over his shoulder and feeling very nervous. Go and get him, Dom!

Tony #66,

Yes, strength, confidence and athleticism are all there, but what I think has really improved is his positioning and movement in the box. Last night's goal was a great example. He slotted right in the middle of the two defenders so that they couldn't get to him when the ball came in.

There are still things he can add too. He's so fast across the ground he can look to break into space behind defenders for balls from James. That'd make him even more of a headache.

He could do with a pay rise soon. He'll deserve it.

Mike, I don't think its a case of Kane looking over his shoulder.

Kane plays a slightly different role. This could be a throwback in terms of style. Kane and Calvert-Lewintogether for England could frighten the proverbial out of defences. They would be so busy watching one they won't see the other coming. As one moves to make space the other pounces.

Sharp and Gray in white shirts. If I was a central defender I'd be afraid... very afraid.

Martin Reppion #70 - I think the fact that and England team man for man looks weaker than an Everton team is hardly a poor reflection on the Premier League – surely its the opposite. The Premier League is stronger than ever because many of the best players in the world come to the Premier League.

I think your point is that the foreign players crowd out the domestic talent so that the England team is weaker than it would otherwise be. But I don't think there is any evidence of this. When I was a nipper in the 1970s England were gash. In the 80s were we gash (except in '86 with 4 Everton players in the team). In 1990 we made a semi final at the World Cup with a decent side.

Since the Premier League came along, England's record has been slightly better (lots of quarter-finals and a couple of semis), and I think the quantity of high class players looks better than I can remember.

Last night was of course a B team so weaker than normal, but still had a few gems on display.

Interesting, Martin...

Calvert-Lewin & Kane would be a very, very formidable front two.

If you'd told me 12 months ago that Carlo Ancelotti would be our manager. James Rodriquez our best player. We'd be top of the Premier League and in the quarters of League Cup and Calvert-Lewin would be a decent striker...

I would think you were crazy for claiming Calvert-Lewin would be a decent striker. I really would.

Mary #52.

Love it

Calvert-Lewin: September's Player of the Month – he should now do the Lottery as the result is certain.

He is starting to achieve his goals – no pun intended. Long may he do so and long may he wear the Royle Blue of Everton. Fingers crossed he doesn't pick up an injury before the RS turn up at Goodison.

I just hope the ref for the derby is up to it because we will be, make no mistake – 20 years of hurt and now it's payback time in spades. COYBs.

It's funny I've heard such conflicting reports on Rodriguez. Older Evertonians have described watching him with a tear in their eye, to see such a talent in royal blue at last.

And yet I was directed to another website in the same city where there was concern that, in the next match 'the referee will need to keep an eye on that cheating cunt Rodriguez'.

He seems to have split people right down the middle as to his qualities.

Kevin [76] as to spending too much time in the gym — take a look at sprinters like Justin Gatlin, Yohan Blake, Christian Coleman; they are all built like 'Arnold' but can run 100 metres in 9 point something seconds!

I also remember seeing 'live', England Rugby winger Ben Cohen sprint the whole length of the pitch for a try, side-stepping several defenders along the way; he too looked like he'd just stepped off the stage at Mr Universe!

Nicholas, yes, good point.

He is certainly towering over everybody at the moment.

Nicholas #86

Size does not mean slow. Look at the NFL and Lukaku was a beast, but he wasn't slow. You also need need muscle up top to hold off big centre backs. Gym work is essential for the modern footballer and Calvert-Lewin is obviously putting in the hours.

He looked great in a B team against Championship Wales. Let's hope he gets to play with the A team next. He deserves it!

Never doubted you, Dom, and I felt really proud of you last night. I think it will be the first of many England caps.

Holding my hands up, eating humble pie, and apologising to Dom. I didn't see it coming.

The thing I really like is that he appears to be a lovely bloke, down to earth, and humble.

Congratulations to Dom for working so hard and proving so many doubters wrong.

David Ellis says that England were gash in the seventies which we were, but it's quite interesting to look at the players we had. Hudson, Currie, Weller, Worthington, Osgood, Bowles, Ball, Bell, Francis – so many talented players who just couldn't translate club form into England performances.

Last night's team was very ordinary but Calvert-Lewin and Grealish staked their claim.

I have to admit I was one of many who doubted Calvert-Lewin would make the grade in the past. I am now pleased to hold my hands up and say I was wrong.

The lad is turning into a really top centre-forward. He is a real handful and must be a nightmare for defenders to play against.

Keep it up, Dom, you are doing yourself and Everton FC proud. Long may it continue. A hat-trick in the derby please if it's not to much trouble.

Re. Martin @79, I agree. Calvert-Lewin and Kane could be very formidable.

It would require some change in tactics and formation but Kane tends to drop very deep these days into a false 9 / forward 10 role, and he's very good at providing assists (Son would attest to that). Calvert-Lewin has pace and is a willing runner.

Kevin (76), you must be used to some very scrawny specimens if you think Calvert-Lewin is built up to a formidable degree. Compare and contrast to Adama Traore of Wolves. Calvert-Lewin is much more in the mould of Harry Kane.

To me, Calvert-Lewin is pretty much the ideal balance of strength and weight. As pointed out elsewhere, speed isn't what would necessarily be compromised by plenty of bench pressing; it would impact leaping and distance running much more as you are adding muscle mass that doesn't really contribute anything to those activities.

The upper-body strength he has at the moment looks just about perfect to me to give him good sprinting speed and a way of dominating defenders in the air (witness the way he often uses his arms to keep above the defenders once in the air rather than actually climbing on them).

If Calvert- Lewin walked into a convent, he would still manage to score, the guy is on fire.

Do any of you guys know how many of our players are away playing in South America?

Both Brazil and Colombia have fixtures on Wednesday next week, three days before our lunchtime derby match, so not much preparation for such a big game.

Scott I think there was quite a few of us not seen it coming mate, at the time he just seemed to have a poor touch, pushed out wide or a lone striker, not the player's fault we know.

The lad has worked on his weaknesses and matured into a very good player.

He is getting more support, he is allowed to do what he does best and that is to focus more in getting into the box and taking less touches when a chance arrives.

Having this midfield has helped even more, he is no longer feeding off scraps, or trying to hold the ball up.

He deserves every ounce of praise he is getting and more than happy to be proved wrong.

I love eating humble pie when it goes well, not so nice when you build someone up and it goes the other way, so more than happy to be wrong on this one.

Dave (92), quite a few maverick players amongst those players you've named, they did their “own thing” and tended not to listen to orders.

Brian (96), not unless he brought his own “bird” with him.

Brian @96, Yes the lad has come good when many, including myself wanted him to, but didn't think deep down that he would really make it as an out and out striker. Long may it continue.

I walked into a convent once after a few sherbets, thinking my luck would have to change sometime, and I got nun! :-)

Nice one, Derek, love it. I hope you did not make a habit of it. :-)

Nicholas #86, and don't forget Jonah Lamu with his build and speed !!

Tony, Sherringham and Shearer.

Jeez. As well as the run on bog paper it seems the supermarkets will soon be running out of humble pie.

An England U21 youngster gets older, gets coached, becomes confident and gets better. Who could have foreseen it eh?

Tom next.

Hi Kevin, I think the issue with James Rodriguez is that he has gone down easily a couple of times in recent matches.

The one against West Brom when Kieran Gibbs hit out at him and got sent off springs to mind. Not sure how hard the contact was but James fell to the floor clutching his face.

Ian yes. It's surprising they should take such a firm line on such behavour though after little Michael's thousand identical falls to earth in the box.

Si,

Obviously I watch him each game as we all do, but he does seem to be changing before our eyes at the moment. You know what he reminded me of yesterday? A boxer. I'm not sure that is the best route, two years ago he looked like Ian Rush, now he's more like M Ali.

Kevin,

And Suarez as well. It would be good to think our players are better than that but hey ho... needs must at times!

There is no doubt that Calvert-Lewin is improving with every game, and his body shape is also changing, now a more muscular and stronger player than when he fist came into the side. He reminds me a little of Joe Royle, just hasn't as yet got the explosive shot Joe had, but like Joe he is good in the air a very good header of the ball, and holds the ball up well.

The good thing is he will only get better, and the confidence he will have got from getting his first England cap and scoring on his debut, will also make him want to make that place in the England team his own. Kane is probably ahead of Calvert-Lewin but 12/18 months and if he keeps progressing he could well oust Kane from being automatic first choice.

Ian, Lamela's incident with Martial makes James look like a boy scout if you ask me.

It was a tedious game to watch and once Calvert-Lewin had gone off, prematurely in my view but welcome from an Evertonian point of view, I lost all interest, he's never going to get in ahead of a fit Harry Kane at the moment.

On another point I thought Pope looked so much more control in goal than our very own Roy of the Rovers Mr Pickwick!

With VAR, I think it's only going to get worse. The smallest tap and you get a penalty or someone is sent off. But in that Man Utd vs Spurs game, Shaw stayed in after a brutal hack. That's what a sending off should be for, not little taps.

Refs should be allowed to assess game impact and be encouraged to send divers off for exaggerating, using VAR to check. Then Lamela would have gone too. No more snipers?

Pete @ 112, yea well if they really used VAR for fairness, Lamela should have been gone as well.

James (111), a fair few - me included – see Caalvert-Lewin's early substitution as a clear indication that he will get a start in at least one more of the games this week.

Nick Pope did okay with his hands, the little he had to do, but seemed pretty skittish every time he has to kick the ball more than about 10 yards. It seemed to me the defenders were extremely reluctant to pass the ball to him under even the slightest pressure.

The commentator (Lee Dixon I think) made a point of saying Jordan Pickford is by far the most accomplished passer out of the current crop of English keepers.

Michael (114), the clubs need revenue from somewhere.

As long as the Premier League use the money to support the lower leagues to an extent as well, then I wouldn't begrudge them some matchday revenue.

No I wouldn't, Si, wonder how they will do it... Maybe on YouTube, I hope Everton don't try to broadcast it, it will be stopping and starting hahaha.