Dominic Calvert-Lewin admits 'crying on bedroom floor' during Everton struggles

Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has opened up on his struggles off the pitch as the Toffees battled for Premier League survival in the 2021/22 season
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has revealed he spent part of his birthday in tears on his bedroom floor as Everton battled for Premier League survival. The Toffees forward scored the pivotal goal to cement his side's place in this division in 2021/22 but endured emotional turmoil in the build up to that moment.
Calvert-Lewin, 28, joined Everton as a teenager in 2016 and netted the winning goal against Crystal Palace to secure a 3-2 win and the Merseyside club's place in the top-flight. The striker has scored 71 goals in his Everton career but none more important than in that moment.
‌
An injury-plagued season saw Calvert-Lewin's influence on the pitch wane, having hit a career high 21 goals the previous term. With the Toffees battling for survival, the Sheffield-born star's return saw him pile pressure on himself.
‌
Calvert-Lewin's issues saw him believe that it was 'his responsibility to save everybody', with the prospect of job losses and relegation on the horizon. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Calvert-Lewin admitted he hit 'rock bottom' before scoring that goal.
"I did an Instagram post [at the end of the season] which was an outburst of emotion," Calvert-Lewin said. "I can look back in hindsight and reflect on what it was, I scored the goal against Palace that kept Everton in the league and that feeling I will never be able to describe.
"It was the weight of my own pressure, the football club. I am quite an emotional person and I put that weight on my shoulders. I thought it was my responsibility to save everybody, save jobs and that's a lot to put on your shoulders. When I scored that goal it was relief.
"On my birthday, four or five weeks before I scored that goal, that was a low point for me. I ended up crying on my bedroom floor, I think it was not knowing how to express what I was feeling in that moment. Feeling that things are getting away from you.
"You have all the pressure of the football club on your shoulders and at the time I couldn't play, as I had another injury. I was thinking it was a rock bottom moment for me. I felt better after I cried and let out that emotion, and was like 'I'm going to save Everton Football Club'."
‌
Calvert-Lewin's contract is set to expire this summer and wants to find himself in a winning environment. The forward, who has four goals in 11 England caps, wants to earn his way back to the Three Lions set-up and make a Champions League debut before he hangs up his boots.
"I have to be careful with what I say because I am still contracted to Everton, I have a long history with Everton and a big respect for the club," he said.
"The main thing for me is I want to win, I want to be in a winning environment. After the last three or four seasons it has been about survival.
‌
"When I started my career I wanted to play in the Premier League, play for England a go to major tournaments with England and play in the Champions League. I have played in a major tournament for England, I have played in the Premier League, but I haven't played in the Champions League. There are still things I would like to achieve before my time is done.
"To have the opportunity to decide potentially where that place will be. If it gives me the best opportunity and environment to win and score goals, then that would be the return of me to the England team and playing in the Champions League.
"That has been my driver to play at the highest level possible. My representation of that is the Champions League, World Cups, Euros and getting into that bracket of elite players."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

6 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

Alexander Isak as 'Liverpool's No9' gets two-word response and X-rated gesture

Liverpool are interested in Alexander Isak as they look to add to their impressive line of summer transfers already, but Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has weighed in on the rumours Alan Shearer insists there is "no chance" that Alexander Isak will line up as Liverpool's number nine this season. The Reds are reportedly interested in bringing the Newcastle United forward to Anfield this summer, with some impressive transfers having already been confirmed by Arne Slot's side. Slot could see Isak as a straight replacement for the potentially departing Darwin Nunez, who has received interest from reigning Serie A champions Napoli. However, Liverpool are not the only ones keen on tempting Isak into a transfer, with Premier League rivals Arsenal long-term admirers of the Swede. ‌ The Magpies aren't keen on letting Isak depart St James' Park either, with the Carabao Cup winners said to be valuing his services north of £150million. Eddie Howe isn't ready for his most dangerous attacker to leave, and Isak has shown no signs of forcing an exit to another high-profile club. ‌ However, the Reds have showcased their own transfer pull this summer, bringing in some serious talent to join the squad for the 2025/26 season. During an episode of the Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker ran through Liverpool's latest signings for the future. He said: "Liverpool have been very impressive so far, I think, with the signings that they've done. They've just completed Florian Wirtz for £116million, so it's a lot of dough for Bayer Leverkeusen. But he's a wonderfully talented player." Rather prematurely, he then included Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez in the list, despite a transfer not yet being completed. Lineker continued: "Kerkez, Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for around £40million, they join Jeremie Frimpong who signed a couple of weeks ago. All three are worth just under £200million." The conversation moved on to where Wirtz would fit into Liverpool's front line, where Shearer chimed in: "I think he'll be floating between the two. I think you'll have obviously Salah on one side and whoever on the other side, and it'll be him that'll be the 10, the forward or whatever, and they'll just sort of rotate and do what they have to do. I think that's where he'll play." Lineker then spotted an opportunity to tease the Newcastle icon about Isak potentially swapping black-and-white for red this summer, as he quipped: "And Isak as the nine? Right?" ‌ The 54-year-old made an X-rated gesture, putting up his middle finger on both hands while grinning, as he emphatically replied: "No chance!" Shearer is likely not ready or willing to part with Isak's services at his beloved Newcastle United, as the Swede helped the side to their first major trophy since 1955 – beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final – and then helped them qualify for the Champions League this upcoming season. ‌ Isak contributed 27 goals and six assists in 42 appearances for Newcastle in the 2024/25 season, and is regarded as a key part of Howe's squad. However, Liverpool have already broken the British transfer record once this season with Wirtz, and could be looking to flex that financial muscle in order to continue their recent success in the Premier League. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Telegraph

12 minutes ago

• Telegraph

John Stones: I've had dark days at Man City – I thought my career was over

John Stones suffered 'dark days' last season after a series of injuries led him to question whether his career might be over. Going into the final year of his deal at Manchester City, the fit-again 31-year-old made clear he had no intention of leaving and would, at least, see out the remainder of his contract, making it a decade since he joined. 'I'm here, I want to stay here, I love it,' Stones said when asked about his future at a quickly evolving City. 'I'm here to help the team, and I don't know if what's been said or speculated, but I hope that kind of shuts it down.' Stones has endured a horrific time with injuries, suffering a series of set-backs having damaged his foot, then thigh and hamstring problems. He has not played since coming off early in the Champions League exit to Real Madrid in February. Stones is now fit and part of City's squad for the Club World Cup, which continues against the Abu Dhabi club Al Ain on Sunday evening here in Atlanta, even if Pep Guardiola has remained cautious and suggested the defender is not yet fit enough to start. Stones said he is 'raring' to go but also opened up on the frustration he has felt at having suffered so many fitness issues. 'There's been points where you think, you've been giving all this effort, you dedicate all your life, especially how I approach or go about my life, and football, I give everything, on and off the pitch to be here or be ready to play games and those are the dark days,' Stones said. 'I think everyone's been through them and think, 'why is this happening?' You wish it would have gone a different path. But, like I said, it's self-doubt, there's a lot of things. 'All of us have been through different upbringings and challenges through life and what did we do within those situations; was it fight or was it give up? I was a fighter from a young age. In difficult moments you have to look at the bigger picture and realise what are your morals, what you believe in, and fight to make it worthwhile.' Even so, Stones admitted the injuries had affected him 'mentally' as he worked with City's medical staff to find out why he was having so many problems. 'I wish I had the answer and we all had the answer. It is frustrating for me, I put a lot of pressure on myself,' he said. 'I find it very challenging mentally. I have had some very low points in the past season and I just have to come back and once you come over those things, you can't really see the end of the tunnel when they keep happening, 'And it's frustrating on the team, on myself, on the manager, that you're not available to help them. And you've got to find another way to be around the team. 'I've been here long enough now. I've been around football long enough to know that I can offer something else within those times and look for a positive in those situations. And it's difficult, I think that's the long and short of it, and I've got to learn from that. And I think it'll make me stronger in the long run.' Part of the frustration, Stones explained, is not knowing why he has suffered the injuries. 'I don't know what the reason is and we've sat with the medical staff, sports science, to try and figure out why,' he said. 'Some things can't be explained. Which is even more testing mentally when there's not really an answer. I've been unlucky with some of the injuries that I've had. They were very rare last season, after speaking to specialists. 'Sometimes I think: why has it happened to me? But I've got to deal with that and move forward and try to adapt with how my body's adapting. As I said, I feel great, I'm back fit, ready to help the team when called upon. I think this season I've got to look more detailed into training, things that I can do off the pitch that I can sustain playing a lot more games.' Stones signed for City in August 2016 from Everton in a deal worth £47.5million with Guardiola saying the pair had been through a lot together. 'Since I arrived, he arrived. The many good things and the sad things we lived together, we share it,' the City manager said. 'He's a sensitive person. He's an incredible human being. Incredible…I see him suffer because he cannot be working for ages and ages and ages. It's important, it's not sad. But the important thing now is, you know, at training sessions, he feels better.' Stones agreed and added that far from being physically and mentally tired – as many of his City team-mates will inevitably be during this tournament and after such a gruelling season – he is fresh. 'It's difficult when you're injured. You almost work longer and more. So from that aspect I know the guys mentally and physically have had such a long season. (But) I suppose mentally for me it's been difficult dealing with the injuries and the process. Now I've put that behind me and used this as a mini-introduction back before the new season and another trophy for us to hopefully win and get some game time,' Stones said. Even so during the 'dark days' he has had to draw deep on his own resilience. 'I think we all self-doubt as players and feel things and we want to get back as quick as possible, maybe that's a downfall sometimes that you try and push too soon,' Stones said. 'Definitely family, I think that's my biggest thing, being around them and having their support. You can feel very lonely at times when you're training by yourself and that's the difficult part of it, being in a team sport, not training with the team when you run out of the pitch in your rehab. 'So, a lot of things that you've got to get used to and deal with and try and set yourself goals to come back and it's been a challenge. I am over that hurdle.' Stones is returning to a quickly changing City, as the club attempts to move on from the failures of the last season with four new signings in June – including two centre-halves in Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov – who were bought in January. It has added to the competition Stones is ready to face in what is, at present, an enlarged squad. 'It's a great challenge for us all. Fighting for a starting place. Fighting for titles again,' he said of the 'super-healthy' competition for places. 'Everything moves on in life and in football. The club has had to make those decisions and bring new people in. They've been great so far. I can't speak highly enough of them… We want to raise each other's standards every day and keep pushing each other. It's quite rare in football to have the squad we have. Incredible players want the best for each other. That's something we've done over the years and made us successful.'

Powys County Times

21 minutes ago

• Powys County Times

Former England bowler David Lawrence dies aged 61 after MND battle

David 'Syd' Lawrence, the first British-born black cricketer to play for England, has died at the age of 61. It was revealed almost exactly a year ago that Lawrence, who took 18 wickets in five Tests for England between 1988 and 1992, was the latest sportsperson to be diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The announcement was in the same month ex-England and Leeds rugby league great Rob Burrow died after a long battle with the incurable illness, which progressively damages parts of the nervous system. A statement from Lawrence's family given to the PA news agency said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Lawrence MBE following his brave battle with motor neurone disease. ''Syd' was an inspirational figure on and off the cricket field and no more so than to his family who were with him when he passed. 'A proud Gloucestershire man, Syd took on every challenge with everything he could and his final contest with MND was no different. His willingness to encourage and think of others right up to the end was typical of the man he was.' As well as his six outings for England – having played a lone ODI against the West Indies at Lord's in 1991, collecting four for 67 – Lawrence bagged 625 wickets in 280 matches for Gloucestershire. A strapping fast bowler who was renowned for being one of the quickest on the county circuit, Lawrence began to establish himself in Tests and a five-for against the West Indies in 1991 helped England seal a series-levelling win at the Oval, with Desmond Haynes and Viv Richards among his haul. Gloucestershire Cricket is devastated to learn of the passing of former player and Club President, David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE, aged 61. Everyone at Gloucestershire Cricket would like to send their best wishes to David's family during this terribly sad time. — Gloucestershire Cricket 🏆 (@Gloscricket) June 22, 2025 But Lawrence's career all but ended the following year as he badly fractured his kneecap after falling awkwardly when running into bowl on the final day of a Test against New Zealand in Wellington. His England days were immediately over aged 28 but he made a brief county comeback in 1997, playing four first-class games for Gloucestershire before hanging up his boots – 16 years after he first played professionally. Lawrence became a competitive bodybuilder following his retirement and he was also a nightclub owner in Bristol. After Lawrence detailed his experiences of racism during his playing career, Gloucestershire issued an unreserved apology in September 2021 and six months later he became the county's first black president. The county side posted on X: 'Gloucestershire are devastated to learn of the passing of former player and club president, David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE, aged 61. 'Everyone at Gloucestershire would like to send their best wishes to David's family during this terribly sad time.' Following his MND diagnosis, there were emotional scenes when Gloucestershire went all the way in the T20 Blast last year, with captain James Bracey presenting the trophy to Lawrence at Edgbaston. Lawrence's family statement added: 'As president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, Syd took on the role with incredible pride and passion and loved every minute of it. 'Syd's wife Gaynor and son Buster thank everyone for the kindness and support that has been shown to them and the family so far and would ask that they are now given some time and space to grieve in private.' Only last week, Lawrence received an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours for his outstanding services to cricket, while he had been working to raise money and awareness of his condition. He said: 'It is an incredibly proud moment. It is not something that I ever thought would sit after my name, but I am absolutely delighted that it will do so for however long I am here and will be a part of my legacy when I am gone.' Lawrence's MND diagnosis hastened his autobiography as he worried he would lose the ability to speak. Titled 'In Syd's Voice', written with the help of Dean Wilson, the book was published this month. England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson said on the governing body's website: 'David 'Syd' Lawrence was a true trailblazer of English cricket and a man of immense courage, character, and compassion. Everyone at the ECB is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of David 'Syd' Lawrence MBE. All of our thoughts are with David's family and friends during this difficult time. — England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 22, 2025 'His impact on the game extended far beyond the boundary ropes. As a fast bowler, he thrilled crowds with his pace and passion. As a leader and advocate, he broke barriers and inspired change, becoming a powerful voice for inclusion and representation in our sport. 'Even in the face of his illness, David showed extraordinary strength and dignity, continuing to uplift others with his resilience and spirit. He leaves behind a legacy that will endure in the hearts of all who love cricket. 'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire cricketing community at this time.'