SOCCER: From injury woes to goal machine, Calvert-Lewin charts stunning revival at Leeds

SUNDERLAND – Six months after Everton allowed injury-prone striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to leave on a free transfer, the English forward is enjoying one of the hottest scoring streaks in the Premier League, netting for a sixth consecutive match in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

When he finished off a beautifully constructed counterattack in which every Leeds player touched the ball, Calvert-Lewin became the first Leeds player to score in six straight top-flight games since John McCole during the 1959-60 season.

It marks a remarkable turnaround for a player whose reputation had shifted from prolific goalscorer to frequent injury concern during his final years at Goodison Park.

‘GOOD RHYTHM AND MOMENTUM’

“I think when you find a good rhythm and good momentum, the timing comes with it,” Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports.

“As a center forward, you can make a lot of runs and sometimes not get the ball. A lot of things need to come together for it to result in a goal. Thankfully, my form is good right now, I’m getting into the right positions, and I’m scoring goals.”

Once viewed as England’s ideal backup to Harry Kane after scoring 21 goals in a single season for Everton, Calvert-Lewin’s form later dipped as injuries repeatedly sidelined him.

His final season at Everton yielded just three goals, and the 28-year-old departed the Merseyside club in June after a nine-year spell, describing the decision as “incredibly difficult.”

While other clubs saw a striker in decline, Leeds identified untapped potential and signed him to a three-year deal.

Although he started slowly — scoring just once in his first 11 appearances — Calvert-Lewin has since found his stride under manager Daniel Farke.

SEVEN GOALS IN SIX STRAIGHT GAMES

Since late November, Calvert-Lewin has scored seven goals in six consecutive matches against high-profile opponents including Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Even Kane never managed to score in six straight Premier League games, while the run represents the longest scoring streak by an English striker since Jamie Vardy netted in eight consecutive matches in 2019.

“Everything feels very fluid at the moment,” Calvert-Lewin added. “It’s taken some time for the players around me to understand my game and what I do best.

“But when I get service and the ball comes to me, I like to think I’m lethal in the box.”

Calvert-Lewin was used sparingly at Euro 2021 — the last time he represented England — making two substitute appearances totaling just 18 minutes.

If he maintains or improves his current form, he could give England manager Thomas Tuchel a difficult selection decision when naming the squad for next year’s World Cup.

-Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters