Leeds United are enjoying a remarkable surge to safety, fuelled by the stunning return to form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Less than a month ago, the Whites suffered a late defeat at Manchester City to extend their losing run to four games in a row and six out of their last seven.
However, an unexpected 3-1 win at home to Chelsea sparked a revival, leading to Saturday night’s 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace that leaves them four unbeaten, with eight points from 12 along the way.
Dabble sign-up offer: Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets
Not signed up to Dabble yet? Here's how to claim the Bet £10+ & Receive £10 In Free Bets welcome offer:
- Sign up to Dabble through this link
- Register your account with accurate personal details
- Place your first bet of £10 or more
- Receive your £10 in free bets when your qualifying bet has setted
- Use your Free Bet on any eligible sportsbook market within 7 days
#AD 18+ 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. GambleAware.org
Dominic Calvert-Lewin the catalyst for Leeds United revival
As he has been in every positive Leeds result over the past month, Calvert-Lewin was the catalyst on Saturday.
The former Everton man scored from close range in the 38th minute at Elland Road, in a match that had been incredibly cagey and low on goalmouth action up to that point.
DCL struck again just before half-time, finding space at the far post and making no mistakes with a trademark header.
They were two archetypal Calvert-Lewin goals, reacting quickest in the box, finding space, and pouncing at the right moment. It’s no coincidence that all seven of his top-flight goals this season have come from shots taken between the goalposts — it’s his modus operandi.
Calvert-Lewin has now scored in each of his last five Premier League appearances, netting six times during that run.
It’s the first time a Leeds player has scored in five straight Premier League matches since Mark Viduka did so back in 2003, and an incredible achievement for a player who had netted just one goal in his first 10 league outings for the Yorkshiremen — coming under heavy criticism from fans for a host of missed chances.
Could DCL make England’s World Cup squad?
Only a week ago, Daniel Farke labelled Calvert-Lewin ‘one of the best English strikers in the Premier League’, insisting he can break into the England World Cup squad, and stating that he remains open to discussing the prospect with Thomas Tuchel.
Farke’s words are more than just hyperbole or blind support for one of his players. They’re backed by merit.
No Englishman has scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Calvert-Lewin, who is level with Danny Welbeck and Phil Foden on seven.
What’s more, since his strike against Man City on 29th November — which ended a seven-game drought — Calvert-Lewin and Foden are the only English players with more than two Premier League goals, each sitting on six.
“He (Calvert-Lewin) is going to be in his (Thomas Tuchel’s) thoughts,” former England goalkeeper Joe Hart said of Calvert-Lewin on Saturday night’s Match of the Day. “He’s proven when he is fit and he is firing. He’s scored six goals in his last five games, and I saw him interviewed recently about how good he feels about his game. We’ve talked about Danny Welbeck, Harry Kane is going to be there, Ollie Watkins – but a fit Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a great option.”
For now, Calvert-Lewin’s challenge is to prove this isn’t just one of his regular purple patches, peeking his head above the league average, only to go on another long barren spell.
The signs look different this time as he leads the line and fires Leeds United to 16th, six points clear of the relegation zone.
But even Farke has said it is too soon to make snap judgements, urging his striker to stay focused on the task at hand.
“He has shown this during his career when he is fit, but to label him a top-class player for Leeds United,” Farke told BBC Sport.
“He doesn’t have to show this for a couple of weeks or months; he has to show it over the whole course of the season. Right now, it is too soon. He has to keep going.”
All of that said, DCL has undoubtedly put himself back in the mix for an unlikely World Cup call-up.