Calvert-Lewin advances England claims by scoring in sixth straight game

SUNDERLAND, England (AP):

With each goal in his career-best scoring run, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is advancing his claims for a recall to the England squad ahead of the World Cup.

The striker netted for the sixth straight game to earn Leeds a 1-1 draw at Sunderland, who missed a chance to climb to fifth place in the Premier League yesterday.

By staying injury-free and being on the hottest streak as a professional, Calvert-Lewin is making a convincing case to be Harry Kane’s backup for England for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.

His equaliser at the Stadium of Light came in the 47th minute and was a trademark close-range, one-touch finish, turning in a cross from US forward Brenden Aaronson.

Calvert-Lewin has eight goals in the league, more than any other English player.

“I am feeling good, feeling fit, strong and enjoying playing with the lads,” said Calvert-Lewin, who last played for England as a substitute at the European Championship in 2021 and experienced injury issues before leaving Everton over the summer.

“Lots of ups, lots of downs, you know, tests of character; and I have hung in there and kept going and kept pushing back myself, and here I am now.”

Simon Adingra gave Sunderland the lead in the 28th minute by running onto a clever pass behind the full back by Granit Xhaka and bending a right-foot shot inside the far post.

It was a match between two promoted teams, with seventh-placed Sunderland faring the better so far this season.

Leeds are, though, now on a five-match unbeaten run and have moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

TOTTENHAM WIN

Tottenham picked up a second win in nine league games by beating Crystal Palace 1-0 away, thanks to Archie Gray’s first-half header.

The victory eased some of the pressure on Spurs manager Thomas Frank and lifted the team to 11th – four points off fifth-placed Chelsea.

Gray nodded home in the 42nd minute after a corner to the far post was headed back into the middle of the area.

Palace have lost three league games in a row and might be struggling to deal with the increased fixture load brought about by their involvement in the UEFA Conference League.