Lampard’s Everton no longer running on empty

IT felt fitting that on London Marathon weekend, Everton almost had to crawl over the finish line to see out these three points. Ask Frank Lampard if he cares. His side are not at the stage where they can complain about how games are won. Crossing the line is all that matters. That’s no slight on Lampard’s side — they were worthy winners. Everton were slow out of the blocks but well in control, and raced past Southampton with two goals in two minutes.

But what will have pleased Lampard most was the last 15 minutes — the fight, resilience and doggedness to survive an aerial bombardment from James Ward-Prowse’s set-pieces. Two summer signings have been crucial to that, defensive duo Conor Coady and James Tarkowksi, as well as Jordan Pickford, enjoying his best form in an Everton shirt. ‘We tried to bring in good people as well as good players,’ said Lampard. ‘It’s a process on and off the pitch to create a culture that’s progressive. We can do a lot better. We should have won that game without needing to have 10 or 15 minutes of biting our nails at the end.’

That will come. But Everton would not have won this game last season. This was just their second away win since August 2021, and the first time they had come from 1-0 down to win away since February 2020. For now, it’s time to give Lampard — and the recruitment team — due credit. The 44-year-old has guided his team to a seventh straight game undefeated, the best run of his tenure. They have signed leaders to go with their exciting young talents such as Anthony Gordon, who was too ill to start this match. Another good bit of business has been Amadou onana, the 6ft 4in box-to-box midfielder who supported Neal Maupay with late darts into the penalty area. But Lampard singled out Everton’s supporters as the man of the match here. ‘The fans have fought against the train strikes and cost of living crisis to be here,’ he said. ‘They appreciate seeing the character in the team that they want and deserve.’

As for Southampton, there were boos at full time. That’s now 35 points dropped from winning positions since the start of last season — more than any other team — and this young side must improve fast if they are to stay in the division. SOUTHAMPTON (4-2-2-2): Bazunu 5; Walker-Peters 7, Bella-Kotchap 6, Caleta-Car 6, Larios 6 (Perraud 60min, 6); Ward-Prowse 6, Maitland-Niles 6 (Edozie 67, 6); S Armstrong 6 (Elyounoussi 89), Aribo 6; Adams 6, Mara 5 (A Armstrong 60, 6). Booked: A Armstrong.

Scorer: Aribo 49. Manager: Ralph Hasenhuttl 5. EVERTON (4-3-3): Pickford 7; Coleman 7.5, Tarkowski 7.5, COADY 8, Mykolenko 7; Onana 7.5 (Davies 74, 6), Iwobi 7, Gueye 6.5; Gray 7 (Doucoure 90), Maupay 6.5 (Rondon 89), McNeil 7 (Gordon 74, 6.5).

Booked: Gueye. Scorers: Coady 52, McNeil 54. Manager: Frank Lampard 8.

Referee: Andre Marriner 6. Attendance: 30,510.