22 April 2023 , 19:45
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James Tarkowski claims Everton "expect more and need more" from their forwards as Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned in their goalless draw at Crystal Palace.
The point keeps the Toffees stuck in the bottom three with Leicester only above them on goal difference. Sean Dyche has seen his side fail to score in five of their last nine games with their 24-goal haul this season the lowest of any team in the Premier League.
Calvert-Lewin has been their main supply of goals in recent years so his absence has been a major blow for the Merseysiders. The 26-year-old has only made 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring just the once, but returned at Selhurst Park after a groin issue.
He was unable to find the crucial winning goal however with the Everton centre-half making it clear that the backline want more from those in the final third if they're to get out of the relegation scrap they, once again, find themselves in.
Tarkowski said: "We were quite disappointed, we're in a real battle and we need more. We had the opportunity to pick up three points. To grind it out with 10 men is nice but there's way more from us. We defended well, we had conceded a few goals recently so that's a plus but we need to do more and expect more from our forward players.
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"We have some really talented boys but we need more from them. It has been a tough season and maybe we are losing that confidence. The players we have got are super super talented boys. The season has not finished now so I don't look at the table, there's six games to go."
Dominic Calvert-Lewin made his return from injuryEverton still have to face several of their relegation rivals, including Leicester and Bournemouth. They will need Calvert-Lewin, who has previously broken the 20-goal barrier, firing on all cylinders and Dyche admitted there was more to come from the marksman.
He said: "It's a point earned. The sending off is not easy, great to get Dom [Calvert-Lewin] through and he played more minutes than we thought. He did well, so a mixed bag with a clean sheet against the in-form team in the division. The first half was a flat game, in the second we reacted a bit better.
"The fight is there, the work ethic and the shape of the team was pretty good and we limited them to a few chances. We got into some good areas but that's been the story. Dom is only just getting back so there are positives but a lot of work to do - a clean sheet down here is not always that easy.