Best way to shut them up is to score – Calvert-Lewin.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin must have been delighted to hear Wolves fans vent their rage at the club’s owners during Leeds’ 3-1 victory at Molineux.
The former Everton striker had been taunted by home fans ahead of Saturday’s encounter, which many had labelled as an early-season six-pointer between two struggling sides.
Wolves had lost their first four games of a season for the first time in 127 years, while Leeds hadn’t scored from open play since Lukas Nmecha’s winning penalty against Everton on August 18.
Calvert-Lewin and his teammates may have been concerned when Ladislav Krejci opened the scoring with only eight minutes on the clock, but by the end of the game, the visitors had won their first away game of the season – and their first on the road in the Premier League since a 4-2 victory at Molineux in March 2023.
Calvert-Lewin was the impetus for Leeds’ comeback, opening his record for the club with a stunning header from Jayden Bogle’s cross before winning the free kick that allowed Anton Stach to complete the reversal.
Noah Okafor added a third late in the first half, infuriating home fans, who blamed chairman Jeff Shi and Chinese owners Fosun.
“I think they had a chant going [about me],” Calvert-Lewin told BBC Match of the Day. “I heard my name and wondered, ‘Why are they singing my name?'”
“Obviously, the best way to shut them up is to score a goal at that end and point to my shirt.” Strikers gain confidence by scoring goals. It’s good to get my first goal for the club, and I hope to build on it.”
‘We know what Calvert-Lewin is capable of’
Calvert-Lewin has not had the best start to his Leeds career.
In last month’s Carabao Cup second-round match against Sheffield Wednesday, the 28-year-old squandered a golden opportunity to score a stoppage-time winner before missing his penalty in the subsequent shootout, sending his effort high over the bar as the Owls advanced.
Toothless performances against Newcastle and Fulham followed, but his spectacular header at Molineux provided the perfect reaction to supporters and critics who had questioned his form and fitness record.
According to Transfermarkt, Calvert-Lewin has missed approximately 600 days due to injury during the 2018-19 season, including the majority of the second half of last season after suffering a hamstring injury in an away game against Brighton in January.
He finished his final season at Everton with three Premier League goals, but Leeds manager Daniel Farke believes the striker can regain his scoring touch at Elland Road this season.
“We know what Dominic Calvert-Lewin is capable of doing for us,” the German told BBC Match of the Day. “He’s great with his head. “That was a fantastic header.”
During Saturday’s game, former Manchester United and Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin was particularly impressed with Calvert-Lewin’s equaliser, describing it as a “very difficult header”.
“As [Bogle’s] cross comes in, it takes a deflection and rises well above the defender. [Calvert-Lewin] needs to give it direction and pace.
Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.