A look at the team sheet before the 4-2 win at Blackpool and the worst fears of Everton supporters had quickly come true.
Of the four notable absentees, one of them was Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He is the man expected to be at the focal point of Everton’s attack this season, following the departure of Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur.
Calvert-Lewin, along with Demarai Gray, missed the game as a precaution, the club confirmed ahead of kick-off. But it still wasn’t the news Blues supporters wanted to hear.
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After a flying to start to last season, in which he scored three times in three matches, the remainder of the campaign was one of frustration for the Calvert-Lewin, who spent more time on the sidelines than he did playing.
It was meant to be different this season. As, at the end of the day, it was his header against Crystal Palace that effectively secured Everton their place in this season’s Premier League.
But with 15 minutes on the clock here at Bloomfield Road those fears Blues supporters had ahead of kick-off had quickly faded. Frank Lampard’s side found themselves 2-0 up and cruising.
Vitalli Mykolenko fired the Blues ahead before Tom Davies added a second with a close-range header. But the goal was all down to the work of Salomon Rondon.
After breaking the offside trap, the Venezuela forward coolly composed himself before crossing for the onrushing Davies to head past Daniel Grimshaw in the Blackpool goal.
Rondon was another who endured a frustrating campaign last year. Clearly when he arrived at the club he wasn’t fit and struggled with the pace of Premier League football. Then his woes were compounded when he was sent off against Brentford toward the end of the campaign.
Everton struggled to cope without Calvert-Lewin last season, and often looked toothless up top. But here, Rondon, Anthony Gordon and Dele all offered attacking options that caused the Blackpool defence a whole host of problems.
Gordon and Dele both looked to get on the ball as much as they could and drop into pockets of space in between the lines. The latter was rewarded for his efforts with two goals from close-range in the second half.
After such a torrid time over the last couple of years, the brace, coming off the back of that shocking miss against Minnesota United, will have done Dele's confidence the world of good, and the smile on his face said everything that needed to be said.
Rondon, meanwhile, was a constant focal point up top and gave Richard Keogh a torrid afternoon. A fitter and stronger Rondon, which he appears to be, will only benefit Everton and Lampard.
Of course, the Blues boss will want a fit and firing Calvert-Lewin leading the line for his side, but evidence here suggested that Everton may be better prepared this season to cope without their number nine.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to ease the fears and allow Blues supporters to sleep that little bit easier as the countdown to Chelsea continues.
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