FOUR GOALS IN FOUR GAMES: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN SENDS WORLD CUP MESSAGE TO TUCHEL
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored 4 goals in 4 games for Leeds. Now, he’s eyeing a spot in Thomas Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin says playing for England at next year's World Cup is still his ultimate goal. The 28-year-old is on a hot streak, scoring four goals in his last four games, really hitting his stride after moving to Leeds United this summer.
He's played for England 11 times before, but not since July 2021. Even though it's been a while, he's still dreaming of wearing that Three Lions shirt again.
Before Saturday's game against Crystal Palace, Calvert-Lewin mentioned that playing for your country at a World Cup is the top wish for any player, especially with the World Cup coming up next year.
He said, Playing for England has always been my dream. It's the best feeling ever. Like any kid who grew up watching England, that's still what I want.
The Mirror quotes him as saying, I'd be shocked if playing for England wasn't the main goal for every English player. It's been my aim since the last time I played for England.
He added, I've always believed I could get back there, even when it seemed far off.
But, to give you the usual answer, I'm focused on Leeds. My main job is to keep the club in the Premier League, and that's always my top priority.
To reach my England goal, I need to keep playing well. Hopefully, getting into the national team will just happen as a result of that.
England boss Thomas Tuchel will be watching a lot of players over the next few months, but he hasn't contacted Calvert-Lewin yet.
Calvert-Lewin, who has scored four goals in his 11 appearances for England, is sure he can get back into the mix if he keeps performing for Leeds.
When asked if Tuchel had been in touch, Calvert-Lewin said, No, but I don't expect him to be. Playing well consistently is what will get me noticed.
I'm not getting too excited just because I'm in good form and scoring goals. I'm trying to stay calm, just like when things weren't going so well. Nothing's really changed for me.
I remember every goal and every game I played for England. Looking back, I wouldn't say I took it for granted, but things can change fast in football. I'm proof of that—you can be really close to something but also really far away.
There's always someone waiting to take your place; that's just how it is in elite sport. When you're English, there are so many talented players.
I always knew I'd need some luck and good timing to get back in the national team. You have to be in good form and build from there to make things happen.
VAR REVIEW: CHELSEA 2-2 BOURNEMOUTH, ESTêVãO PENALTY DRAMA EXPLAINED! WAS IT A FOUL OR A DIVE
Explaining the VAR: How an 11th-minute penalty check at Stamford Bridge saved a point for Chelsea against a resilient Bournemouth.
Every week, the Video Assistant Referee stirs up drama in the Premier League. Let's break down how these calls are made and if they're actually right.
This season, we're digging into the big moments to explain the VAR process and the rules of the game.
What went down: Chelsea's Estêvão was moving into the Bournemouth box, with Antoine Semenyo on his tail. Estêvão went down after some contact with Semenyo. The ref, Barrott, waved off Chelsea's penalty shouts, saying there wasn't a foul. He thought both players made contact naturally as they were running, and Estêvão basically tripped himself.
VAR said, "After looking at it, VAR Pawson suggested Barrott take another look at the monitor for a possible penalty because Semenyo might have tripped Estêvão."
VAR's take: Pawson had to figure out if the contact was just part of the play, like the ref thought, or if Semenyo fouled Estêvão. It was clear Estêvão tripped, but the question was how the contact started.
At first glance, it would be hard for Pawson to disagree with the ref because the main TV angle wasn't clear. But after checking out the sideline and behind views, Pawson saw that Semenyo stepped into Estêvão's path, making enough contact with his leg to cause him to trip.
Pawson told Barrott to check the monitor for a possible penalty. Barrott watched the replays, agreed, and gave Chelsea the penalty.
The call: It was a reasonable VAR call based on today's standards. But it's a borderline case.
Barrott seemed unsure of the monitor and needed some convincing from different angles.
A lot of the time, this kind of contact is just from players running normally, and someone goes down. To give a penalty, there really needs to be a clear foul by the defender. You could say that happened here, but it's a pretty low standard for VAR to get involved.
Chelsea 2-2 AFC Bournemouth
Referee: Sam Barrott
VAR: Craig Pawson
What: VAR check for a foul in the box
When: 11th minute
BREAKING: UNAI EMERY REVEALS THE REAL REASON BEHIND HIS COLD ARTETA HANDSHAKE SNUB NOW
Unai Emery explains why he skipped the post-match handshake as Arsenal’s 4-1 win ends Aston Villa’s 11-game streak at the Emirates.
Unai Emery said he didn't shake Mikel Arteta's hand right after Aston Villa lost at the Emirates Stadium since the Arsenal manager kept him waiting.
This loss stopped Villa's winning streak at 11 games, their first in almost two months.
Villa held their own in the first half, but Arsenal scored early in the second when Gabriel got to the ball before Emi Martinez on a corner.
Martin Zubimendi quickly made it 2-0, and Leandro Trossard scored a third goal a little after an hour had passed.
Soon after entering the pitch, Gabriel Jesus scored, making it 4-0. Ollie Watkins was able to respond by tapping in a goal late in the game after Donyell Malen's nice play.
After the game, Emery waited to shake Arteta's hand, but he went to the locker room since Arteta was still celebrating with his team.
It’s easy to see. I like to do things fast,” Emery said when asked about why he didn’t shake Arteta’s hand.
“I shake hands, then I go to the dressing room with my players and coaches. I was waiting.
“Arteta was busy with his coaches, so I went inside. It’s not a big deal for me.”
About the match, Emery commented, “We played great in the first half, and things were going our way. We had corners and defended well. We didn’t let them get a corner in the first half.
“We felt good, but we let in the first goal in the second half. Onana getting hurt didn’t help since he’s important for set pieces and in the midfield.
“We didn’t quit, and we kept playing hard. We scored one goal and almost scored more. Arsenal is the best team in the league and should win the title.
“I’m not sure which day it is since we’ve played Arsenal twice already, and we still have to play Nottingham. But I’m happy with our goals and how we're trying to attain them.