Everton manager Sean Dyche has revealed how he had to overrule Dominic Calvert-Lewin at half-time during Sunday’s 0-3 loss to Manchester City, as featured by the Liverpool Echo.
After the striker signaled that he had an issue with his groin, Dyche opted not to take any risks ahead of the final two games of the season.
Calvert-Lewin wanted to play on but a firm response from the boss ensured that he did not return to the pitch for the restart of the game.
With the Toffees trailing by two goals at the break, the extent of the challenge to get back into the game would have had a bearing on Dyche’s thinking.
“I had to make a call on it because he (DCL) felt his groin,” he said.
“It’s a tight groin but tight groins can lead to damaged groins so I had to make a call on it, simple as that.
“It would have been a harder call if it had been 0-0 but at 2-0 I have to make a call and I said, ‘Right Dom, you’re coming off.’ He wanted to give it a go and I said, ‘No, no, no, you’ve got to come off’.”
Totally vindicated
With the 0-3 outcome and the exertions required to match up to Pep Guardiola’s champions-elect, it was a very shrewd decision in hindsight to withdraw Calvert-Lewin.
He will be essential to Everton’s aspirations of picking up points in the last two games of the season as they strive to secure their Premier League status.
It is admirable that he wanted to play on, but relatively soon after his recent return from a hamstring problem that has limited his involvement in this campaign, it was the right decision that has been totally vindicated.
That feeling will be enhanced further once an update has been provided on Calvert-Lewin’s situation, later this week after the damage limitation was implemented immediately by Dyche.
Next up for his side is the visit to Wolves on Saturday, but prior to that, there will be plenty of interest in Leicester City’s game against Liverpool, tonight.
A win for the visitors would be very well received on Merseyside, in more ways than one.
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