Season › 2023-24 › News Calvert-Lewin injury confirmed as fractured cheekbone Lyndon Lloyd 21/08/2023 104comments | Jump to last Dominic Calvert-Lewin sustained a fractured cheekbone in yesterday's defeat to Aston Villa and has been placed under the Football Association's concussion protocol. The striker, making his first appearance of the season after overcoming his latest hamstring issues, collided heavily with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the 10th minute at Villa Park and was eventually substituted 7 minutes before half-time with visible swelling and complaining of blurred vision in his right eye. The FA's guidelines would keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks but the injury itself is expected to keep him out for a few weeks in itself, after which he would probably have to wear a protective mask for a period after that to protect his cheek. Calvert-Lewin has endured a miserable run with injuries over the past couple of years but looked to have finally reached the stage where he could be available for a consistent run in the team thanks to a patient rehabilitation programme over the summer. Article continues below video content His father, Karlda, took to social media yesterday to bemoan the fact that a section of Everton's away fans at Villa Park booed as Calvert-Lewin left the field, expressing their frustration that he had been forced off with yet another injury. "To see my son hurt like that brought me to tears again," his dad wrote on Facebook. "It always will no matter what age he is. He’s now in hospital getting sorted. "I hear the names he got called by his own ‘fans’ first-hand and what I will say is this: my son lives the dream daily like you wouldn’t believe and that won’t change, regardless of what some numpty in Stone Island gear shouts. Stay bitter fellas. Stay bitter. "So it’s another little setback in a long list of setbacks but he’ll be alright. He always is." Reader Comments (104) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Andy Meighan 1 Posted 21/08/2023 at 16:38:37 Expect to see Maupay lining up against Wolves on Saturday then.Because I don't trust this Thelwell or Dyche to get anything over the line by then.Or – and it's a big 'or' – if we get Adams in, Dyche will trot out some cretinous line like he's not Premier League ready.Let's hope Calvert-Lewin can play with a protective mask. Frank Sheppard 2 Posted 21/08/2023 at 16:41:26 No surprise, very nasty. Such a shame for him, he probably thinks he is jinxed. John Zapa 3 Posted 21/08/2023 at 16:42:02 Considering how careful the club was in handling his fitness, it'd be quite strange that they would leave him on the field for as long as they did and risk his wellbeing. Once again very poor in-game management from Sean Dyche and his team. Christy Ring 4 Posted 21/08/2023 at 16:52:03 A very nasty injury, should have been subbed straight away, imagine if he had got another knock to the cheekbone? No one can say he lacks effort, hope he's out short term, and we need a striker this week. What's the FA protocol regarding the injury? Jay Harris 5 Posted 21/08/2023 at 16:53:21 Really bad luck. He will need a bit of counselling to get his mind back on football. Anybody any idea how long he will be out for? Jack Convery 6 Posted 21/08/2023 at 16:57:00 Internet sites reckon up to 6 weeks for it to heal once it's been reset. Dominic – what on earth did you do in a previous life? So unlucky. Joe McMahon 7 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:01:18 Really fed up for him, he wanted to play. It really does seem that his luck, sums up Everton's over the years. I wish him a speedy recovery but he will have to wear a mask, the Wolves game is going to be soon, so yet again we are going to be very weak upfront.Waiting until transfer deadline day for deals (again) costs us points every season, never any lessons learned. This time we will pay the price. Moshiri: "I'll get you a striker." Kenwright: "I found you a Billionaire like I said I would." These two have killed this club. Jack Convery 8 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:04:09 So that's Seamus our best right back, Mykolenko our best left back, Iwobi one of our better midfielders / wide players, McNeil our best left-sided midfielder, Dele, Gbamin, Cannon all injured some more than others. 4 of them: Seamus, Mykolenko, McNeil and Iwobi all first teamers, plus Calvert-Lewin of course. How's your luck, Mr Dyche? Steve Brown 9 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:09:10 From the FA website:The player should not be allowed to return to play for at least 6 days after the injury (it often takes longer than this) and in strict accordance with the return to play guidelines (above). This will include a return to baseline of the SCAT 3, or web-based, neuro-psychological criteria. A baseline profile will be available from the pre-season assessment. Brent Stephens 10 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:14:04 Bad luck, Dom. Shame on the hecklers. Gary Brown 11 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:15:18 Jack,Sean Dyche gets them so fit — they're just about ready to break. Tom Bowers 12 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:17:19 It never rains but it pours. I feel sorry for Calvert-Lewin –so much bad luck for the guy since his really good season a couple of years back. I hope he can salvage something of his career pretty soon. Pete Neilson 13 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:17:34 Our mate Heung-min Son fractured his cheekbone (eye socket) at the start of November and was playing in the World Cup three weeks later. Severity could be different for Dominic. When he was treated yesterday for 5 minutes or so, the medical team were constantly signalling the severity to the bench and eventually gave the thumbs up. No criticism of Dyche and his game management, Dom decided to soldier on and then it obviously became too painful. Damned if they do and damned if they don't. Just shocking bad luck for him. Hope the tiny minority who booed reflect on their reaction. Danny O’Neill 15 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:52:04 Sometimes it's just bad luck.As a player, I broke both of my legs, both of my ankles, done my ankle ligaments and done the Quad.Not all at the same time and in hindsight at a young age. I was able to play to a relatively high standard until I was 40 before throwing the towel in.Actually, I'd thrown it in a few years before, but they broke glass in emergency called me back and we won 2 - 1. I thought I was going to get sent off as I gave both barrels to the opposition centre forward for a hefty challenge.The ref knew me, gave me a smile and told me to behave!Nasty and unfortunate injury for Dominic. I hope he is okay and comes back soon. Duncan McDine 16 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:58:11 I'm honestly embarrassed to support the same team as the many who jeered and booed him yesterday... And not just because Everton are a joke club from top to bottom. A large section of our fans behave like nobheads way too often. Garry Martin 17 Posted 21/08/2023 at 17:58:56 Such a sad shame for Dom, he's really having a bad run of luck.I believe the striker situation at Everton has demonstrated that our board have no idea how to run a club. Poor Dom, when he gets to play, must feel under total pressure and, as a result becomes reckless in persuit of a goal. Mike Morgan 19 Posted 21/08/2023 at 18:20:25 Unbelievable bad luck — a freak accident.However, I feel uncomfortable that Dyche started Calvert-Lewin's come back away against Villa (a game we almost certainly would lose). Surely 45 minutes v Fulham or save him for Wolves would have been a better-planned return. I can't believe he was booed coming off yesterday, the online abuse of Onana, along with the Gordon confrontation last season. All very wrong. Plus a terrible advert for our club trying to recruit new players. Lyndon Lloyd 20 Posted 21/08/2023 at 18:21:32 Jerome (14), Dom does not have a concussion but is under the FA concussion protocol regardless because he was substituted because of an injury "to the head". Darryl Ritchie 21 Posted 21/08/2023 at 18:23:53 Poor guy. If it wasn't for bad luck, he wouldn't have any luck at all! Kevin Turner 22 Posted 21/08/2023 at 18:25:53 Some of the comments criticising the medical team are bang out of order. The on-field medics don't have the advantage of X-ray vision.As for the away "fans" booing Calvert-Lewin as he went off, that's wrong and upsetting for the lad and his family. How to foster resentment! They'll be launching him when he bangs in a transfer request. Robert Leigh 23 Posted 21/08/2023 at 18:36:21 Good news is, another six weeks training then I hope he'll be good for the season. Ajay Gopal 24 Posted 21/08/2023 at 18:43:06 Terrible luck for Calvert-Lewin – was he trying too hard to show the fans that he cares? Possibly. But, what does he get in return – abuse. Calvert-Lewin, Onana, Maupay, Gordon and Mina last season. This is disgusting behaviour and I am sure all right-minded Evertonians have nothing to with this section of ‘fans'. But the media and supporters of other clubs are waiting to find a reason to hate us, and such behaviour is providing ready made fodder to them. Come on, Dyche, build a siege mentality around the club and motivate the players to stick a finger at the detractors. Andrew Brookfield 25 Posted 21/08/2023 at 18:51:43 Shame on the fans who booed him off – you know who you are. Put his head in danger to try and give us the lead, insisted to play on despite having a broken face and bruise the size of an egg. Yet he comes off to dog's abuse, so much so his dad has to come out to condemn our fan base. Maupay last week, Onana this, our fan base is becoming unrecognisable. Mark Ryan 26 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:01:30 I look at the ownership of the club and the poor way in which we have recruited both managers and players and I'm filled with disappointment. I look at our squad and our current team and I'm filled with real concern for the coming season. I look at the fans jeering Calvert-Lewin who had a fractured cheekbone and I'm staggered. This is not my Everton. The team that I grew up with in the '60s. I read the vitriol between the fans and supporters on here and think "This is not the way it was". I have never known such hatred amongst our supporters towards the players and sometimes each other. Its all gone rather awry. What of the future? Is there any light at the end of this Blue Mersey Tunnel? We need to turn it in and get off each others backs. Raymond Fox 27 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:02:36 You're correct, Ajay, we are dragged through the mud again by the media for our perfomance and a minority of fans' behaviour; what player will really want to come to us?Then we have Onana getting abuse also, it's not good enough. Paul Kossoff 28 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:04:33 Darryl 21, Poor Dom was definitely born under a bad sign and is not getting the cream. Colin Glassar 29 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:08:41 Sickening the abuse Calvert-Lewin and Onana have received. I'm no fan of Iwobi or Maupay but I would never stoop to that level but this is the age (social media) we live in where there are no limits to which people will go.Get well soon, Dom. Alan McGuffog 30 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:15:02 We've spent over 20 years getting shut of our National Front / Millwall Lite reputation. And now the knuckle-draggers seem intent on regaining it. So, as well as being everyone's favourite for the drop, we'll be everyone's favourite team to despise. I'd ask can it get worse, but I know it will. Ray Roche 31 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:16:17 Mark, Andrew and others, we think that we have the best fans on the planet. Unfortunately, we also have the worst.Please, don't anyone come on here and try to defend so-called 'fans' who think that racist abuse towards Onana or slagging Calvert-Lewin off for a genuine injury is acceptable, it's not. They're just scum.Wearing a blue scarf. But still scum. Andrew Ellams 32 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:18:58 Anthony Speckman is the name of the guy who racially abused Onana online yesterday, if anybody knows him?Also, Sky have apologised for their commentators making a joke about Dyche wearing a black armband yesterday. Christy Ring 33 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:20:11 You don't have to go too far to see the abuse Dom and some of the other players get, just go on to the Live Forum. Andrew Brookfield 34 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:20:47 Heartening to hear I'm not the only one who hopes our fans can do better. Incidentally, incredibly classy of the RS fans to applaud on 26 minutes. We can do so much better as a fan base. Barry Rathbone 35 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:22:11 I imagine fans seeing him walking off have no idea of the injury extent more likely they see him trudging off and think "He's been on half an hour and he's off AGAIN!!" and vent. Quite understandable given our plight and the alleged importance of his presence. Kieran Kinsella 36 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:23:07 Andrew 32,Has Andy Hinchcliffe, the man who made the actual remark, apologized himself? Paul Smith 37 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:25:32 Been to plenty away games and alcohol and drugs fuel vile abuse. It's toxic at times. Feel sorry for the poor fucker. Dave Cashen 38 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:27:42 My timelines maybe slightly blurred, but I think it may be about a decade ago when we realised James Vaughan was not going to make it.I remember buzzing to my dad about his bravery and lack of respect for reputations. My dad replied, "He is possibly too brave. He is going for balls that are not his." He listed several players who he believed were "guilty" of this "error", headed by Man Utd's very own "Captain Fantastic" Brian Robson. "I prefer players to hurt opponents rather than themselves". He said.I'm putting Calvert-Lewin in the "too brave for his own good" category. I don't subscribe to the criticism of him being "soft". This is a guy who has repeatedly put his body on the line for a succession of desperate managers rushing him back too early. I still struggle to believe Rafa played him with a broken toe. Michael Kenrick 39 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:28:41 It's a strange one for me in terms of how it happened. Watching it over, Calvert-Lewin was intent on getting the cross, signalling for it to come, then doing his best to get on the end of it. Trouble was, it was always going into the hands of the keeper, who only had to take one or two steps forward. Calvert-Lewin, who never looks in the direction of the keeper, realizes he has to accelerate to have any chance of getting on the end of it as his eyes are fixed on the trajectory of the ball, and he is on the point of launching himself into a diving header when he finally sees the goalie advancing to collect the ball at the exact point where Dom wanted to make contact. In that split second, he realizes he can't stop his body momentum – made worse by his half-lunge forward to get there, and the heavy collision is unavoidable. Or is it? Why isn't he more aware of what lies in his patch, courtesy of peripheral vision? Surely it's a potentially common occurrence that we actually see very rarely because strikers know they need to be fully aware of the big burly keeper cleaning them out? Do we put it down to a lack of match-sharpness then? Or failure to anticipate and protect himself (the exact opposite of Iwobi)? Or a desperate desire to score no matter what the consequences (the exact model of Dave Hickson)?I tried to listen for the alleged booing as he walked off looking less than pleased. It's very faint, if there at all, but could be the reason for his raised arm gesture? Barry Hesketh 40 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:32:07 I'm sorry but whilst I don't condone any of the bad behaviour by any section of our support I refuse as a season ticket holder for most of the last half-century to be labelled with that group of dickheads who call themselves Evertonians. I often have to defend my support of this club of ours to outsiders and work colleagues and the stick I get from them is understandable, but also deeply annoying and all this 'noise' surrounding the club isn't at all helpful.I read somewhere, yesterday, about how things can be deliberately focused on in order to deflect the real issues that need addressing, and that ruthless people will use the smallest misdemeanor of an individual or group and amplify it. They amplify to such an extent that the media and general public forget about the real issue and instead busy themselves with asking for action against the largely innocent group - we are in grave danger of falling into that trap, due to some bad behavior of a few, which plays right into the hands of Kenwright and company, and legitimises the claims that were made earlier in the year by the board members.Abuse of Maupay, absolutely wrong, abuse of Calvert-Lewin, absolutely wrong, racial abuse of Onana, absolutely wrong and worse than the abuse aimed at his colleagues. We have a few idiots, how many I have no idea, is it a significant proportion, a large section, a small group of supporters, or a few individuals?What I do know is that the VAST MAJORITY of Evertonians aren't neanderthals and are on the whole very well behaved and set a good example to others, and they have been doing so for all the time I've been following the club. If you happen to be sat next to one of those idiots shouting out abuse. at an away fixture, point it out and if you and your mates can't prevent it, report it to a steward and let's be rid of those that besmirch the supporters good name. Ray Roche 41 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:35:51 Michael, I could clearly hear booing on my tv and, unfortunately, so could his father. In other circumstances DCL would be regarded as ‘ brave' for putting himself on the line in order to score. Dale Self 42 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:35:51 Barry Rathbone 35, the collision and then the medics on the field for 10 minutes. How many times did they have to pee? C'mon man. A single boo even if uninformed over a player leaving the pitch for a first half injury is disqualifying for a fan. At least until they can get it together out of respect for those sitting around them. By the way, I think I am adopting Alaves as a partner team while Everton digs out of this hole. Impressive comeback v Sevilla and Kike is fun to watch when he is fired up. Paul Ferry 43 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:36:44 Duncan McDine: "I'm honestly embarrassed to support the same team as the many who jeered and booed him yesterday"Kevin Turner: "As for the away "fans" booing"Duncan: "The many". Were you there yesterday Duncan? Do you have clear figures to show that it was indeed "the many"? No, of course you don't, and if such things were available you would find that it was a small few – not "many". It's bad enough having so much caustic wit, mockery, and "criticism" aimed at us by others, never mind having people on here making things up for what purpose?Kevin, the "fans": ditto.By the way, did either of you feel it worthwhile to give the "many" and the "fans" a pat on the back for applauding Maupay? Neil Copeland 44 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:44:43 Barry #35, I was at the game yesterday and that is a decent summary. It was very difficult to see what had happened and from my spot in the upper tier I certainly couldn't see Dom's face very well.And actually the fans were chanting his name when he got back up after the initial clash. As for the abuse of Maupay online, wasn't that found to have been from a Fulham supporter? For the record, Maupay received a good reception yesterday when he came on.Dom's dad has reacted how any father would, but hopefully he will see the many well wishers on social media today and realise that yesterday was a minority of misguided people. Dale Self 45 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:51:55 Barry Hesketh 40, we have obvious differences on superleague issues but I would damn sure appreciate sitting near you at a match. Well said. Brian Williams 46 Posted 21/08/2023 at 19:57:08 Michael #39.99% of the time the striker will see etc etc but travelling at the speed they're travelling, together with the speed the keeper, and the ball, is travelling means it's inevitable that now and again there'll be a clash that causes injury.To my mind it's just "one of those things". Mark Boullé 47 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:00:56 I wasn't at the game and I haven't seen what this Speckman character posted about Onana.I do not defend abuse that goes beyond calling out a player for being crap or not trying. However, is it not possible that at least some of those booing, having a go at Dom, Onana or anybody else, are people who have just been driven to such depths of anger and despair by the mismanagement of Everton, the transfer disasters, the spineless performances, the never-ending saga of turbulent shite, that they say or write things in the heat of the moment that are very out of character? God knows I have in the past... Eddie Dunn 48 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:02:23 The frustrated fans may have been unaware of the kind of injury. In which case, it would have been better for the lad to have been taken off immediately.I am surprised that Hollingsworth, who checked him, didn't insist on his removal as, even on my telly, I could see what looked like a fracture.In rugby, he would have had to have a HIA straight away and would never have been allowed to continue.The idiots who booed only help to fan the flames of hate toward us from the media. Is this a tactic to prepare the football world for our points deduction?Dominic is a lovely lad, a new father, and he will have been more frustrated than anyone at his injury jinx. So I hope to not see another word on here criticising him for what is outside of his control. Ian Bennett 49 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:11:46 Gutted for him. He's put his body on the line as we would all ask. If he hadn't gone for it, he would've gotten criticised.Bang out of luck. Another injury added to Colemam, Iwobi and McNeil. Injuries again stripping us of any little quality we have.The club seems to be circling the drain. Directors missing from the game, racist abuse, players confronted in cars, fans turning on our striker. Two relegation battles in a row, odds on another one joining it. Fans already calling out Dyche after 2 games. Financial issues, and facing charges for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules in October. Jesus wept – and this is meant to be a hobby for leisure time... Duncan McDine 50 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:19:49 Paul Ferry, I wasn't at the game yesterday, but have been regularly travelling to several games every season for the last 25 years. So with respect, I have much more experience of being at games during this time than yourself, seeing as you are on another continent. I've seen some appalling behaviour by Evertonians over the years and not just from a select few. The majority of us are a decent bunch, but in my eyes there is a growing number of gobshites amongst the blues on the terraces. The way our club is run and the performances on the field induce anger, but this kind of abuse makes outsiders think that Everton fans get what we deserve. Kris Scott 51 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:27:03 Evening All, Former season ticket holder; disgruntled lifelong fan. I've watched and read comments roll in from afar for years. We're all upset; the club is a shambles. Has been for a decade. Had to finally sign up and sound off tonight after reading some of the nonsense a lot of you post. So much abuse hurled from the away support at DCL yesterday but not a single mention of it here. All “bad lucks†and “get wellsâ€. I'd imagine anyone of those muppets who slurred him as his he left the field with a fractured cheek would be calling the boss today to sign in sick and take a few weeks off work. As for those who racially abused Onana online; shame on you. As bad as the team is, they're not going to improve with that kind of support. Sort your lives out Paul Ferry 52 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:33:57 Duncan, you were not at the match, and bringing in your past of great support does not change anything. I might not have been there yesterday - you might be surprised how often I am there - but my four life-long mates who never miss a game (like me before I moved) were there and I will take their word for what they heard and saw, thank you very much. Paul Ferry 53 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:36:13 Oh, and I definitely agree that we had "gobshites" there yesterday Duncan. Not sure if their number is "growing" but it might not be a surprise if it was given these last couple of years (and more). Karl Masters 54 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:38:10 Nobody should try to defend our own supporters abusing one of our own going off injured.Why is that helpful in any way?Considering Dom has always given 100% as well it's just beyond me.And I agree with some other posters, that we are fast becoming our own worst enemies here with the National media loving the chance to put the boot in. Ray Smith 55 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:45:41 DCL put his head where others fear to tread. As others have said Andy Gray, Dave Hickson, in my lifetime, and Dixie Dean.Don't knock the lad when he ends up with a fractured cheekbone.The posters who have seen fit to knock him are not supporters or fans (whichever is the greater), we don't need you! We've got enough problems without your lack of support.Yes, it's dire, but you're not helping. End of! Ray Smith 56 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:48:17 Karl 54Not sure if I'm supporting you, or you're supporting me?Whatever, we're both on the same hymn sheet ðŸ‘ðŸ‘👠Duncan McDine 57 Posted 21/08/2023 at 20:58:12 PF, if your mates say they didn't hear any abuse, then I can understand why you feel upset that most of us believe the media reports. For me though, seeing first hand, the level of abuse hurled at several players over the past couple of years – I can't imagine that they're telling you everything. Jerome Shields 58 Posted 21/08/2023 at 21:00:39 Lyndon @20,Thank you for the clarification. It is too early to say that he has concussion. Symptoms take two to three days to develop. So precautions and observations are in place, though he should have been taken off straight away...He has received a bad injury, a head injury. Concussion is also a head injury The difficulty with sight is worrying. Hopefully he does not develop symptoms and, if he does, he recovers within two weeks.Concussion is something he could do without, especially with his recent history. Hope he manages to avoid it. Mark Andrews 59 Posted 21/08/2023 at 21:10:02 Booing him for getting this injury is ridiculous, if you did this, go support a different club.I'm not angry with him for getting injured, I'm livid that the club still has no back-up after 2 years.The lad clearly wanted to play on when he should have come straight off, this is a serious failing by the medical staff. Julian Exshaw 60 Posted 21/08/2023 at 21:12:20 How anyone could have a go at Calvert-Lewin is beyond me. You'd swear he wanted to be injured judging by some of the comments (not necessarily on here). Should all this continue, we are in danger of widening the gap between the players and the club's greatest asset, its fans, the vast majority of whom are a credit to the club. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has shown he is a top-class striker and deserves our sympathy as well as support. Paul Ferry 61 Posted 21/08/2023 at 21:28:41 Fair enough, Duncan. I don't disagree with your larger point about "gobshites", but there's more than enough stuff on here – as well as from my mates – for me to stick to what I said and we should be fairly sceptical when it comes to the "media", mate. Hope you get to see some away wins – or draws – soon! Duncan McDine 62 Posted 21/08/2023 at 21:39:24 A rare away draw will feel like a win... well probably not, but beggars can't be choosers! I agree about the media having it in for us tbh, but we also make life hard for ourselves at Everton. Brendan Fox 63 Posted 21/08/2023 at 21:53:56 Get well soon, Dom, you put your head where it hurts and unfortunately came off second best.To the knobheads who booed Dom as he was substituted, give your heads a wobble and wind your necks in. Gaute Lie 64 Posted 21/08/2023 at 22:08:19 Bad injury. Concussion is 3 weeks, at least. Broken cheekbone 6 weeks. Guess he will be out for some time. Wish him a good and speedy recovery. I wish for whoever is our match doctor to be fired. Also, I wish for Dyche to do a better job or leave the club. And I wish for Kenwright and Moshiri to leave. Duncan McDine 65 Posted 21/08/2023 at 22:10:30 Gaute - if you could only have one wish, which one would you choose?Same here!!! Barry Rathbone 66 Posted 21/08/2023 at 22:37:50 Just to be clear I'm not in support of getting into our own players but it's always gone on and always will.Footy doesn't take place in church and the fan spectrum ranges from the great and the good to the mental and psychotic. Bar organised sentimental events, no common consensus of behaviour exists.Veterans will remember Jim Pearson getting it in the neck when the team sheet was announced pre-kick-off in the 70s!! Our ability to abuse our own is as good as any. James Hill 67 Posted 21/08/2023 at 22:45:11 I heard the booing on the TV and thought it might be for Dyche for taking him off. Obviously not. I've also seen some of the comments about the lad's commitment. If you're a so-called Evertonian who feels this young man is not committed to the cause, think of this: when he got injured he was at the pinnacle of his career, scoring goals freely, being coached by one of the world's greatest managers and playing for England with the World Cup coming up. Why on earth would this lad not want to play? He has just gone through a major rehabilitation process to try to identify and correct the issues that were causing his setbacks. Many supporters continually questioned why Dyche wasn't playing him when they were clearly sticking to the rehab plan and having both the player's and club's health at heart. I would think this lad is really fearful of his football future and livelihood. Dom has never let us down, scoring important goals at times when perhaps he should not have played and continued to suffer setbacks in getting back to full fitness. Also, it was his commitment that resulted in a depressed cheekbone. Having had one myself playing football, it's not something you can play on with let alone head balls. Dominic did play on. So if you're one those that booed him, you need to question yourself about why you are supporting our team. This boy is the last player who I would question his commitment. if he gets fit and starts banging them in for us, you may well be moaning if he wants to leave the club; you will have contributed to his departure.Get well, Dom. We still need you and your run of bad luck will change. Anthony Jones 68 Posted 21/08/2023 at 22:52:18 Poor lad.That was seriously unlucky.Hope he keeps his head up and is better soon. Alex Gray 69 Posted 21/08/2023 at 23:02:18 I feel for the lad. It clearly wasn't intentional but alas another spell on the side lines. Looks like it's down to the wire to get some reinforcements in with the injuries to our only creative player and goalscorer otherwise it's going to be the weakest squad we've ever had. Andy Crooks 70 Posted 21/08/2023 at 23:10:07 Here's the silver lining: Dom gets a bit longer to get super fit, next time he plays, supporters will be totally behind him, there will be no more lame gags about how he dresses and, most of all, he will be hugely motivated to get back to where he was. Gaute Lie 71 Posted 21/08/2023 at 23:28:07 Duncan, Kenwright. Justin Doone 72 Posted 21/08/2023 at 23:34:09 Unbelievably unlucky. Wish him a quick recovery but I'm expecting around 3 months out.It may do him good in the long run. I'm not sure Everton can find a good enough replacement. I'd like to see Gray, Danjuma and Dom playing together, creating and scoring goals. But for reasons I don't understand we seem unable to play our best attacking players together. Iwobi is also a big loss.As for the horrible comments, name calling and negative gesturing to our own players and fans, I hope they are found and severely punished. Steve Griffiths 73 Posted 21/08/2023 at 23:45:06 He was very unlucky, because he stuck his head in were it hurts for a ball he had no right to win. My angst is with our so called medical team, who apparently allowed him to carry on, on his say so. It was clear to me and the many others I have spoken to, that from the TV pictures, something serious appeared to be wrong with his face or eye. The fans that allegedly booed him off, I assume would have been unaware of his cheekbone injury? Not that that is any way excuse them for booing him off and the Twitter trolls who piled in afterwards also, as he was being subbed. I think that was a deformation of duty on behalf of the medical team, in not making that on-field decision at the time. Serious questions should be asked of them imo; you cannot leave a decision like that to a player who is fuelled with adrenaline and desire to carry on. Scandalous decision and it could have proved costlier than it has. Phil Lewis 74 Posted 22/08/2023 at 01:48:45 Dominic Calvert Lewin is an incredibly brave, unselfish, talented, determined and intelligent young man. I've believed that from the first time he donned a Royal Blue Jersey. I've defended him through thick and thin and will continue to do so while he remains part of EFC.I remember scornful 'fans' calling for his blood when he'd run himself into the ground every week, before the goals finally came. The lad was learning his trade in a poor team. Those same morons labelled him our saviour when things finally clicked for him.When devastating injury sidelined him, his detractors came out in force once again. Criticising his fashion conscious modelling efforts as unmanly and detrimental to the club and declaring him finished as a player. The opposite is so true. It takes a brave man to model a handbag and an even braver person to silence doubters when recovering from serious injury, beating the pain barrier to keep us in the Premier League against Palace in the process. I applaud you, Dominic, for never once opening your mouth to come back at the shortsighted boneheads who have not appreciated either your football talent, or artistic vision. The two are linked, it's called a creative brain. I believe that you enjoyed your finest goalscoring spell when linking up with James Rodriguez, someone on your wavelength and probably one of the most creative players ever to play for Everton. You clearly demonstrated on Sunday, another quality that your father should be proud of you for, namely guts of gladitorial proportions. I most certainly would be proud of you, were you my son. Ernie Baywood 75 Posted 22/08/2023 at 03:24:22 It's incredibly unlucky, but I'm reminded of James Vaughan who was so unlucky with injuries that he even managed to sever an artery in a game. Some players are repeatedly injured, whether it's just bad luck, not protecting themselves, over committing, or some personal physical/medical reason.With Dom we have no option now but to hope. We may add strikers but we won't sign one at his level (when fit).And that's the real issue here. It's unlucky for Dom, but it's not a surprise to us that Dom is unavailable. We can't call that bad luck when we've had years to prepare for these moments.And the same applies right through the club and team. What is our plan? It can't just be to hope for good fortune, but it feels like that's where we've been at for a long time. Andy Walker 76 Posted 22/08/2023 at 06:08:00 The team and the fans are imploding. A true crisis. If you're sitting next to a fan at a match who's abusing a player and you don't have a word with them, you're guilty by association.Racial abuse of players, general abuse of players, general abuse of the board. What the fuck has happened to our fan base?Best fan base in the world? I think not.There are no excuses. And Michael, the whole country could hear a significant number of our ‘fans' booing Calvert-Lewin off. Alan McGuffog 77 Posted 22/08/2023 at 07:51:47 Comes down to the old misunderstanding of reason and excuse.Main reason for this behaviour is probably frustration at the, seemingly, never-ending run of bad luck the team and players endure.But excuse? No! Never, ever can such boorish and racist behaviour be excused. We have, football wise, the worst set of players I have seen in over 70 years. But ethnicity doesn't come into it. Dunno what percentage of "graphite" fans we harbour in our midst but we need shut of them. 'Toot sweet' as they say across the channel James Hill 78 Posted 22/08/2023 at 08:00:42 Andy #77,I agree, racial abuse is unacceptable. However, people pay their money to support their team and have the right to their opinion and to criticize. Booing a player who is leaving the field injured is unacceptable.You're right that we have a very frustrated fan base and their criticism of the board is 100% warranted and deserving. "Sack the board" is not abuse but fully earned. In fact, I believe in our case the supporters have been abused by the board.We still have the best supporters and have had for a long time. Being one who went through the 70s and travel home and away for 5 years during the football hoolligans, Evertonians were the best-behaved in the country and still are.Yes, our standards have slipped recently and I believe the few who booed Calvert-Lewin will think again knowing what they know now. I am sure it was as much out of frustration and a lack of realisation of the extent of the injury as any intention to abuse the lad (not excusing the boos).Let's not go overboard; in the main, our away supporters are nothing short of magnificent and have been a major force in keeping this team in the top level. They slipped up through frustration and unfortunately the wrong boy got the stick. Point the finger at the people who got us to the point that we are starting to turn on each other, the board, chairman and owner.This is our club, we own it. Without us they don't have a club. We pay our money, whether through buying tickets or TV subscriptions to watch our beloved Blues and we are entitled to our opinions and to criticise them when they are not performing if we don't the game is dead.I know we live in a world of sensitivies these days but lets not be passive and accept mediocrity and stick together. For what it's worth, in my view, it is pointless having a go at the manager and players – the problem is in the culture of the club.For some reason, the club's standards have dropped far below "Nil Satis Nisi Optimum" and that comes from the top.The fans have been the best in last few years and lived up to our motto; others in the club have not.Let's not decry our supporters for an explosion of frustration I'm sure many are already sorry for booing. Nothing personal, Andy, just a different view.COYB Danny O’Neill 79 Posted 22/08/2023 at 08:03:37 No place for direct personal abuse. Absolutely no place. How anyone can criticise Calvert-Lewin for getting a broken cheek bone is beyond me. I challenge any of you to carry on with that kind of pain and injury. He tried but it became apparent it was serious as one side of his face ballooned. I hope he is okay. Not a nice one.None of you could. Guaranteed. Let's hope he's back soon with one of those protective face masks.We all sit next to that "you're shite" bloke. Is that abuse? I've sat and stood next to a few special ones in my time. I sometimes wonder why they attend. And I don't mean those who criticise a poor performance, I do and it is warranted. But some who do so from one minute in are relentless.I always remember a guy who stood next to me in the Gwladys Street and used to get on the Amberline coach at it's stop at Widnes for away matches. He wore an "Everton are White" badge and that was often chanted from the Gwladys Street. A person I know ripping up his season ticket when we signed Daniel Amokachi.I never joined in. Never been a thing for me. I don't care where someone comes from as long as they perform for Everton and in my professional life. That's how I will judge them and always have.There will always be the odd one or two. Every club has them. But it isn't reflective of the entire fan base.We've been detached from the club for years. The most toxic I've seen was Norwich the season before last. Brentford wasn't far off. I don't think I've ever known the club so detached from the supporters. Even the current manager seems to be less inclined to cosy up to Mr BK as his predecessors were. He is with his team and us. I think (don't know) he's realised what he has walked into.It isn't acceptable but let's not tar everyone with the same brush.A banner was unveiled a year ago to recognise the players from different backgrounds who have represented Everton.Kevin Campbell who captained us. Trebilcock, of mixed heritage who won us the FA Cup. Cliff Marshall, the first home grown Evertonian of colour. Yakubu, Tim Howard. Tim Cahill was an Australian with Samoan family roots.I'm a British Mongrel and spent many years in Germany. Does that make me a lesser Evertonian?I don't swear often on these pages. But what the fuck has colour of skin got to do with it?Those who allegedly did, your actions paint us in a bad picture. Get a grip and control yourselves. Judge on football and performance. Not where they come from.Fortunately, most of us are sensible. and look at the football. Terry Farrell 80 Posted 22/08/2023 at 08:13:04 Phil Lewis, I agree with every word. Dom is hard as nails quick and has lacked decent support for most of his career with the exception of James Rodriguez, Sigurdsson, and Lucas Digne. He has played many games for us when carrying a knock or on painkillers. A mate in the medical profession texted me as soon as it happened and said "What are EFC doing? It's an obvious fracture." Dom played on to try to help the team. We need to support each other and all of our players. People also calling for a change of manager! Clowns!!! Grigoris Teras 81 Posted 22/08/2023 at 09:01:05 Injuries happen (particularly to Calvert-Lewin) so that's not the manager's fault. If however he once again plays Maupay as a target man, then that's entirely his fault! How about for the very first time since we signed Maupay actually playing him in the role he is suited for? In other words, just off the target man? Or is that far too sensible for us? Ernie Baywood 82 Posted 22/08/2023 at 10:06:17 Terry, I'm not in the medical profession but I'm a big boxing fan and I knew he was damaged straight away... that was never just a bump. It was a bad injury even by boxing standards. And to put the impact he must have experienced in context, I can't remember many actually fracturing a cheekbone or eye socket when being hit in the face for a living. Saunders, Dubois... yes it happens... but it's out of the ordinary and they know straight away.You could see Calvert-Lewin touching his bone structures when he played on. He knew something was wrong. No idea why our trainers didn't even err on the side of caution. Kim Vivian 84 Posted 22/08/2023 at 10:29:59 At the very least, he should have been taken off for further assessment on the touchline rather than playing on immediately. I have called out often that this should be the case every time on-pitch treatment is needed, with a minimum two minute wait before returning. It would cut out some of the time wasting simulation as well. Eddie Dunn 85 Posted 22/08/2023 at 10:42:23 I live in a Welsh village and play football with lots of rugby players. These fractures can be nasty. One lad I know had several concussions from rugby but got his eye socket smashed by a coward in a pub who punched him as he sat on his barstool.He doesn't play rugby anymore and has been told not to head the ball when he play football (midfield).Rugby is a tough sport but the medics are now quick to get all head injuries checked properly. Football is supposed to have a head injury assessment.Well, perhaps Dom could tell them it was Sunday and his date of birth but it was clear that he had cracked his cheek.Another point, which I mentioned on the matchday thread is, imagine if Pickford had done that to Watkins, I think the media would have been all over him.Martinez might have been within his rights but I suspect he knew he was going to give Calvert-Lewin a clout and this why he also stayed down for a while.The guy has proved to be cynical on other occasions and I think he "did" him. Julian Exshaw 86 Posted 22/08/2023 at 11:02:31 Phil @75, I can't imagine the players ever read what's written on here but if one player reads just one post I hope it's Dominic Calvert-Lewin who'll read yours. Wonderful post. Les Callan 87 Posted 22/08/2023 at 11:08:06 Phil @ 75. I don't believe that Calvert-Lewin is half the player you believe him to be. Dave Evans 88 Posted 22/08/2023 at 11:17:55 A few things strike me about all of this.Dom has again shown himself to be as tough physically as he is classy in his manner.We have to negate our mindless fans and get rid of the racists. But there is no evidence that we have a greater proportion of mindless or racist fans than any other team. A cursory search of a teams' local incidents and forums can show this.It is clear that for us, a despicable two-word post to Onana on social media sweeps through the national press more prominently than any fan-funded and carefully made banner in support of Moise Kean or Dele Alli.What is special about us as a fanbase is the unique witness we bare to the continuing and catastrophic decline of a club that once reached for greatness, to one that now clings to the arse-end of mediocrity. Other Premier League fans tend not to talk of our mindless minority but giggle at our relentless high hopes, false dawns and uniquely dismal failures.In the short and long term, two things can put this right and bring unity to club, players and fans, Three straight wins. A new chairman and new owners. Steve Brown 89 Posted 22/08/2023 at 11:31:59 Phil Lewis @ 75, that is a brilliant post.Les @ 88, Calvert-Lewin might not be half the player Phil makes him out to be (I respectfully disagree with you by the way). But he is twice the man that some posters on here have made him out to be over the years. Danny O’Neill 90 Posted 22/08/2023 at 11:34:50 Sorry, had to come back.To those who criticised Dominic.Shithouses to coin a scouse phrase.You go and play with a broken cheek bone.No you fucking couldn't.Shithouses. Les Callan 91 Posted 22/08/2023 at 11:40:07 No better than Jimmy Harris. Barry Williams 92 Posted 22/08/2023 at 11:48:18 Ernie Baywood - I love the boxing, watch a lot of it and spent a lot of time in the fight game in Japan in various capacities. As soon as I saw the injury, I thought the same as you and thought he should have been brought off immediately. Also, there is the issue with concussion subs – we didn't use it. Was that tactical because the commentator said that the other team would get an extra sub too? I agree with a lot of what has been said on here, Calvert-Lewin is a tough dude as I said in an earlier post – don't let things like manbuns and fashion blind you to the obvious. However, injuries and toughness are two different things – or do people on here not consider what many (not me) is an icon – Duncan Ferguson – to be not so tough? Kim Vivian 93 Posted 22/08/2023 at 13:29:40 Danny, calm down...you'll injure yourself. Mihir Ambardekar 94 Posted 22/08/2023 at 14:55:38 Hello everyone. This is Mihir and I am an die-hard Evertonian from India. This is my first post on ToffeeWeb. I have been visiting ToffeeWeb for past so many years. Everton has been so depressing and I can understand the frustration. Last game was a total embarrassment and one to forget. But I see light at the end of the tunnel. New stadium and new board members will freshen us up.I feel that in the next few days we will hire a striker, winger, midfielder and defender hopefully. Once we have a team fully fit with returning players, we will play way better than what we did in the first 2 weeks of the season. I really feel for Calvert-Lewin. He is a good striker but having terrible luck. Hope to see him soon. However, Good competition will ease the pressure off him. Barry Hesketh 95 Posted 22/08/2023 at 15:02:42 Welcome to ToffeeWeb Mihir, I do hope we have better times ahead and that you will post more often, it's wonderful to have fans from different parts of the globe, fully engaging on this site. Larry O'Hara 96 Posted 22/08/2023 at 15:03:03 Mihir, welcome on board: I admire your positivity though many here wouldn't: tell us about your conversion! Paul Hewitt 97 Posted 22/08/2023 at 15:14:38 Welcome Mihir. Give it few weeks and you'll be saying " maupay is crap", and "Dyche out". Paul Birmingham 98 Posted 22/08/2023 at 15:21:38 Welcome, Mihir, and we keep the Everton faith, through the good, bad and ugly times.Very testing times, but we keep going.Backing up to the many who have stated on TW, on this and other threads, that there is no room for the abuse of Everton players via social media or at the game.Rediculing DCL, whilst he played on with a fractured cheekbone, makes you wonder, why some bother supporting Everton.Every on is entitled to their views on all matters, Everton.But theres a way of self control and respect,in giving views and not personal attacks and abuse, directly or indirectly.The club is fractured and increasingly testing the limits of endurance of Everton supporters, but staying together, creating as much maximum strength, does help the squad.Viva Santo Domingo! Kim Vivian 99 Posted 22/08/2023 at 15:51:59 Hello, Mihir. Welcome. I hope you have a good sense of humour...:-) Alan McGuffog 101 Posted 22/08/2023 at 17:30:49 Mihir...In the name of God..why ? Tony Everan 102 Posted 22/08/2023 at 18:28:31 Hi Mihir, welcome, I'm in full agreement of those players we need, our season will hinge upon what Kevin Thelwell can do for us between now and next Friday. He was feeling the pressure during the January transfer window when him and the world greatest transfer negotiatior were manning phones 24/7 to no avail. If he doesn't get some crucial signings in this week it's going to ten times worse in the final days of this window.Adams (Holgate part ex )Gnonto (pay the money he's an investment) Try a cheeky loan to buy deal for McTominay (maybe give first refusal for Onana at a fixed price next season as a sweetener)Then a shrewd CB signing to work with and share the role with Branthwaite throughout the season.Anyway I'm sure Kevin's got it all worked out! Ashley Roberts 103 Posted 22/08/2023 at 19:59:16 We now know how serious an injury DCL has suffered and I just wish him a speedy recovery because we need him. He is likely going to be out for several weeks and then maybe have to wear a face mask on his return which will obviously hinder his performance. Given the predicament we are in right now we have to buy a quality striker and pay the money because in the long run if we don't it will be far more costly if we get relegated. Adams is just not the answer he is average at best and so we need to push the boat out as far as it will possibly go. Chermiti will not feature for the first team for a long time and so we should have saved that money and combined it with what was left for somebody who knows how to hit the back of the net. We always seem to leave it too late to buy and somebody comes in a steals the quality players from under our nose. We need quality and we need it now because otherwise the consequences are going to be dire. Mihir Ambardekar 104 Posted 22/08/2023 at 20:16:59 Paul Hewitt - Maupay doesn't suit our system. I think he was bought in the team to play in a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 in a fast passing style which Lampard had imagined. But most of these players are incapable of playing this passing game effectively and consistently. Since Dyche has taken over, we are playing mostly 4-5-1. Maupay needs to be sold or exchanged with some incoming player ASAP to put him out of his misery.The last few years have been a horror show. This window, so far the players we have bought seem good and the players we have been linked to gives us some hope. I am not sure if Dyche is the man to take us to Europe but at least he will stabilize the ship. I will be more than happy If I am proven wrong though. Just hoping that the game last week was just a blip and we start performing. Denis Richardson 105 Posted 22/08/2023 at 22:09:14 DCL's injury is naturally unfortunate, for him and the club. The abuse levelled at him is totally unjustified. As if he wanted to crack his cheekbone.As far as the squad is concerned, many have been saying for a long long time we need at least one if not two more strikers. DCL was never in a million Sundays going to play most of this season anyway.Light shines brightly once again at the poor management of the club and abysmal recruitment to address the imbalance in the squad. Having little money is no excuse when we still spent c㿞m on Onana and Maupay last summer and are now chasing Ché Adams. Derek Knox 106 Posted 23/08/2023 at 06:11:57 Welcome Mihir, not a lot to cheer about after the first two games, but ' light at the end of an extremely long tunnel' (?). You sort of hit the nail on the head when you alluded to a New Stadium and a New Board. The latter has been the downfall of Everton Football Club for the last 30 years, coincidentally the time that slimy, horrible, pocket-filling, greedy maggot Kenwright, has been involved.Next game should be an indicator of whether the first two results (WE should have easily won against Fulham) were a yardstick of what is to come or just another blip. Iakovos Iasonidis 107 Posted 23/08/2023 at 14:49:03 Luka Jovic is available for around €2.5M, less than ٠ millions! He is still 25. In the last season at Fiorentina, Jovic amassed 50 games across Serie A (31), the Conference League (15) and Coppa Italia (4), scoring 13 goals and providing 5 assists. He is not the Number 9 type of striker like Calvert-Lewin but he is a crazy update on Maupay and the price is a joke. Si Cooper 108 Posted 30/08/2023 at 23:30:07 Any updates on Dom's injury / expected recovery time?I don't think there is any such thing as a set period of time for a broken bone as there are so many factors, the main one being the severity of the break.I also doubt you could see a fractured cheekbone unless it was actually a depressed fracture and I think that would have been obvious to the medical staff who assessed him on the pitch if it was one. I'm hoping it was just a hairline crack and a relatively short time to heal.After Beto's debut, I'm really excited about whether these two can operate as a double threat. I think that possibility would put the wind up plenty of defenders. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. 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