Archive December 28, 2025

One goal in his first 10 Premier League appearances this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s best days were behind him.

But, only four weeks on, he’s the most talked-about striker in England after scoring seven goals in six games.

His latest goal, in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his tally to eight for the season, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.

The 28-year-old signed for the Whites on a free transfer in the summer after a nine-year spell with Everton, which ended with a series of injuries hampering his final seasons.

But the numbers behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke’s new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are impressive.

His six-game streak places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League appearances.

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long – his best stands at two separate five-match streaks.

And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019.

What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris summed it up perfectly after the Leeds frontman struck at the Stadium of Light.

All 11 visiting players touched the ball during a flowing Leeds move, which ended when Calvert-Lewin turned a low cross from Brenden Aaronson past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

“He has the perfect timing,” said Le Bris. “He came off the back of Nordi [Mukiele to score]. He’s smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time.”

That instinct and timing inside the box was what made him a fan favourite at Everton, for whom he scored 57 goals in 239 league appearances.

“Leeds changing to a 3-5-2 formation has also helped in getting more players in the box to occupy defenders, which has given him a little more space,” said former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who is a pundit on Sunday’s Match of the Day.

“Leeds have also played to his strengths recently, getting the ball into the box as early as they can, making sure they’re giving him enough chances to score goals.”

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There was one occasion in the first half that had he gone to the front post, he would have had a tap in. He didn’t and the chance was missed.

“But the thing about him is that he is a classic centre-forward, [thinking] ‘OK I’ve learned my lesson, next time get beyond the front post’.

“For the goal he did that and it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward’s goal.

Although his recent form is impressive, he has some way to go to reach his best haul of 21 in all competitions for the Toffees in 2020-21 under Carlo Ancelotti.

“That was a long time ago,” Calvert-Lewin told BBC Match of the Day.

“I’ve been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of character and I’ve hung in there and kept going and kept pushing. I’ve backed myself and here I am now.

“It’s always a good feeling to be scoring regularly. I’m in a good moment at the minute. My timing is good.

“I’m feeling good, feeling strong and I’m enjoying playing with the lads.”

But for Farke, this purple patch comes as no surprise, and the Leeds boss reiterated that Calvert-Lewin is “one of the best strikers” in the Premier League.

“He deserves all the praise,” Farke said. “He is in record form and long may it continue.

Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence has inevitably sparked talks of an England recall.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals. But he has not represented the nation since Euro 2020.

Murphy believes the striker will be in contention to go to the World Cup if he can keep this run going.

“He looks as fit as he has in a long time,” he said.

“That comes with playing consecutive games, scoring goals, then your confidence goes up as well. You can see he’s got that strut back, that kind of confidence and belief in himself. Nobody’s ever doubted his ability or attributes.

“If he maintains this level of form until the end of the season, then he’s going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place because his level at the moment is really high and he offers something different.

But competition for places behind Kane is fierce.

Danny Welbeck has scored seven goals for Brighton this season – only one short of Calvert-Lewin – while Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his form at Barcelona.

Ivan Toney, currently at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, was used as an impact substitute during Euro 2024.

But it is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, fresh off his double that sunk Chelsea on Saturday, who is currently ahead of Calvert-Lewin, according to Murphy.

“If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams and get in behind,” he said.

“I’m not saying Calvert-Lewin doesn’t want to run in behind, because he does, but I think Watkins has the edge when it comes to speed.

“He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament. Calvert-Lewin made two substitute appearances at Euro 2020 but Watkins had that big moment by scoring the winner in the semi-final against the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

“He will also have a slight advantage in terms of understanding and relationships with the players in the current squad.”

Whether Calvert-Lewin will be with England next summer could hinge on how many specialist strikers Tuchel wants to have in his squad.

“Every player dreams of England and Calvert-Lewin has been in the squad before, scored goals and shown he is capable at that level, so will have that belief in himself,” Murphy added.

One goal in his first 10 Premier League appearances this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s best days were behind him.

But, only four weeks on, he’s the most talked-about striker in England after scoring seven goals in six games.

His latest goal, in the 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his tally to eight for the season, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.

The 28-year-old signed for the Whites on a free transfer in the summer after a nine-year spell with Everton, which ended with a series of injuries hampering his final seasons.

But the numbers behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke’s new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are impressive.

His six-game streak places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League appearances.

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long – his best stands at two separate five-match streaks.

And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019.

What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris summed it up perfectly after the Leeds frontman struck at the Stadium of Light.

All 11 visiting players touched the ball during a flowing Leeds move, which ended when Calvert-Lewin turned a low cross from Brenden Aaronson past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

“He has the perfect timing,” said Le Bris. “He came off the back of Nordi [Mukiele to score]. He’s smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time.”

That instinct and timing inside the box was what made him a fan favourite at Everton, for whom he scored 57 goals in 239 league appearances.

“Leeds changing to a 3-5-2 formation has also helped in getting more players in the box to occupy defenders, which has given him a little more space,” said former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who is a pundit on Sunday’s Match of the Day.

“Leeds have also played to his strengths recently, getting the ball into the box as early as they can, making sure they’re giving him enough chances to score goals.”

Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There was one occasion in the first half that had he gone to the front post, he would have had a tap in. He didn’t and the chance was missed.

“But the thing about him is that he is a classic centre-forward, [thinking] ‘OK I’ve learned my lesson, next time get beyond the front post’.

“For the goal he did that and it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward’s goal.

Although his recent form is impressive, he has some way to go to reach his best haul of 21 in all competitions for the Toffees in 2020-21 under Carlo Ancelotti.

“That was a long time ago,” Calvert-Lewin told BBC Match of the Day.

“I’ve been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of character and I’ve hung in there and kept going and kept pushing. I’ve backed myself and here I am now.

“It’s always a good feeling to be scoring regularly. I’m in a good moment at the minute. My timing is good.

“I’m feeling good, feeling strong and I’m enjoying playing with the lads.”

But for Farke, this purple patch comes as no surprise, and the Leeds boss reiterated that Calvert-Lewin is “one of the best strikers” in the Premier League.

“He deserves all the praise,” Farke said. “He is in record form and long may it continue.

Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence has inevitably sparked talks of an England recall.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals. But he has not represented the nation since Euro 2020.

Murphy believes the striker will be in contention to go to the World Cup if he can keep this run going.

“He looks as fit as he has in a long time,” he said.

“That comes with playing consecutive games, scoring goals, then your confidence goes up as well. You can see he’s got that strut back, that kind of confidence and belief in himself. Nobody’s ever doubted his ability or attributes.

“If he maintains this level of form until the end of the season, then he’s going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place because his level at the moment is really high and he offers something different.

But competition for places behind Kane is fierce.

Danny Welbeck has scored seven goals for Brighton this season – only one short of Calvert-Lewin – while Marcus Rashford has rediscovered his form at Barcelona.

Ivan Toney, currently at Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, was used as an impact substitute during Euro 2024.

But it is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, fresh off his double that sunk Chelsea on Saturday, who is currently ahead of Calvert-Lewin, according to Murphy.

“If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams and get in behind,” he said.

“I’m not saying Calvert-Lewin doesn’t want to run in behind, because he does, but I think Watkins has the edge when it comes to speed.

“He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament. Calvert-Lewin made two substitute appearances at Euro 2020 but Watkins had that big moment by scoring the winner in the semi-final against the Netherlands at Euro 2024.

“He will also have a slight advantage in terms of understanding and relationships with the players in the current squad.”

Whether Calvert-Lewin will be with England next summer could hinge on how many specialist strikers Tuchel wants to have in his squad.

“Every player dreams of England and Calvert-Lewin has been in the squad before, scored goals and shown he is capable at that level, so will have that belief in himself,” Murphy added.

Fans across the board will start to wonder which division they will play in the following seasons as there is only one game left until 2025 is finished.

Some people, like Coventry and perhaps Cardiff, are confident that the signs are good, but Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale and Newport County are, let us say, less sobering.

However, don’t be fooled by stragglers; instead, focus on the positive aspects of football, which frequently keeps you on your toes just as you’re stumbling over to get the slippers.

Middlesbrough is eight points clear, while five of their rivals are now playing for pre-season favorites Ipswich.

However, the Tractor Boys are hopeful that their bruises from the reverse fixture on December 6 will still be palpable.

Despite that highlight, Kieran McKenna’s side endured a December that was very similar to a two-step-forward-one-step-back season.

Along with that heartbreaking victory over the Championship leaders, Leicester City also suffered draws on Boxing Day against Millwall and one draw against Blackburn on Boxing Day.

This season, consistency between weeks has not been their strong point.

Coventry’s top-ranked team won the first free-scoring game of the season, but they haven’t released it since.

Could there be a little mid-season dip, though, with just two wins out of five this month and just four goals scored?

However, Port Vale have already gotten things going by splitting with Darren Moore, and potential dismissals are pouring in from all directions.

After a poor start to his managerial career and two damaging defeats, including 4-1 to his old club QPR and 2-1 defeat to Watford on Boxing Day, nowhere is the pressure building more than at the King Power.

With the crowd becoming restless, a victory over John Eustace’s in-form Derby County looks a must-win after his side were booed off the pitch at home after the Watford defeat.

Following a run of four wins in 15, which has brought his team further down the table in the 16th position than they have in the play-off positions, West Brom manager Ryan Mason is another who will be concerned for his shoulder.

After a 1-0 defeat at Blackpool on Boxing Day, Rovers of Doncaster manager Grant McCann admitted he was “worried” about his team’s form. The club have won just one of their last 15.

The promotion-chasing Stockport County trip on Monday doesn’t appear to be straightforward.

There is nothing more than a fully-firing frontman to warm a manager’s heart, and there are four EFL strikers who couldn’t possibly be better at the end of the year.

In Coventry’s 1-0 victory over Swansea, Ephron Mason-Clark scored the winning goal, which is his sixth goal of the season, but more importantly, made it three games without scoring in a row.

Patrick Agyemang of Derby County has scored three goals in his last three games (six for the season), including the goal against Birmingham on Boxing Day.

Matthew Dennis has scored 10 goals for Notts County, including three in his previous five games (despite missing the net in recent draws against Walsall and defeat to Chesterfield), in League Two, attracting admiring glances from teams higher up in the pyramid.

Emre Tezgel has five goals in the last six for Crewe.

Who will take the title of League Two’s best player is in high stakes.

With only one point left in hand over Bromley, who hosts Oldham on Monday, and Swindon Town, who is also up two points, are in third place.

Swindon travels to face local rivals Cheltenham Town while Bromley travels to Crawley Town.

After losing to MK Dons 1-0 on Boxing Day, Swindon manager Ian Holloway stated to BBC Radio Wiltshire, “It will be a long, old run until the end of the season.”

“We are one of the good teams there,” he said.

This round of EFL matches are the closest to the reverse fixtures, which took place for all just weeks ago in early December, due to a fixture computer glitch.

And that could result in both some unresolved tension and open wounds.

As bosses Alex Neil and Gerhard Struber, a number of players, and backroom staff clashed, the Millwall vs. Bristol City game quickly turned into a mass brawl.

It would not take much to get these teams fired up again from the weekend of 6 December or the Tuesday and Wednesday of 9 and 10 December when all these teams squared off, as they say, because being familiar breeds contempt.