Frank Lampard hailed the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin from injury and said the forward should ‘take confidence’ from his first Everton goal since August during Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Brentford.
Calvert-Lewin scored three in his first three appearances this campaign but has had an injury-hit season ever since, missing large chunks with various niggles. He returned to action as a late substitute during last week’s 0-0 draw at Watford but Sunday marked his first start since early April. He scored Everton’s opener after Richarlison’s shot flicked Calvert Lewin’s chest and creeped in at the far post. Lampard was delighted for the forward after what has been a difficult season.
“It’s great having Dom back particularly with the performance he showed against Brenftord,” he told his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s game against Crystal Palace.
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“He showed especially in the opening moments when it was 11 v 11 and he was very powerful and fit-looking. We know we’ve not had him since I’ve been here with injuries whether that’s been niggles or coming back from either being injured or trying to get back here and there. And it’s clear he’s not a player that’s been able to give what he’s wanted to give for us and it was nice to see that from him.”
Despite the slightly fortuitous nature of Calvert-Lewin’s goal, Lampard believes it should still give the striker, who netted 16 league goals last season, plenty of belief. He said: “It’s nice to get confidence as a striker, particularly a goal no matter how they come. It’s a great thing for us and he should take confidence from the fact that he got on the scoresheet and his performance. It was a performance we want and Dominic would expect from himself and is more than capable of giving and it’s not easy off the back of injuries so that was really nice to see him score.”
Lampard also believed that Everton’s players need to make the most of what is sure to be a fantastic atmosphere at Goodison Park. He said: “We need to tap into the atmosphere which is going to be special on the night. Our fans are going to turn up in huge numbers to support the players so if we can tap into that we know we have an opportunity to get where we want to be. We need a bit of patience [from the fans] and I think we’ll get that its too big an occasion. The fans understand it is difficult opponent and the threats they have and at Brentford even when it was very difficult when we went down to 10 men, they stuck with us and I believe they'll stick with us throughout the game.”
Lampard was full of praise for the fans and the role they’ve had in Everton’s push for survival. He said: “I’m happy [Thursday] is an evening game. I thank our fans a lot due to the impact they’ve had on our team particularly in recent weeks. We’ll try and make it [Thursday] a special night for Goodison and historically it could be a big night historically because we know the situation. But at the same time the players have to turn up and play with the same passion and fight as every Evertonian in the stadium and we need 11 Evertonians on the pitch and the subs - that’s what it is.”
