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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Michael Ball

Everton fan demands answered after Frank Lampard has selfless decision vindicated

What we want is for Everton to play on the front foot and show a bit of desire - they did that in abundance against Crystal Palace.

The whole performance from start to finish was absolutely spot on. We dominated, we bullied Palace - and they're a dangerous side, they've got players who can really hurt you.

They had their moments but what we did was nullify them. Jordan Pickford - besides one shot in the first-half - didn't have a shot to save because we put our bodies on the line. We've showed pride that we didn't want to concede a goal, James Tarkowski and Conor Coady were fantastic.

Both full-backs were getting questioned before the game, but Frank has seen enough to trust his starting 11. Even Seamus Coleman after three games in seven days, against their best player Wilfried Zaha, you're thinking 'this could be difficult.' But every player to a man stood up and did their jobs, which is what we've been crying out for as Evertonians.

CHRIS BEESLEY: Everton favourite faces fight for place as Frank Lampard considers breaking golden rule

READ MORE: Dominic Calvert-Lewin fires back at social media critics and shares 'most difficult' Everton moment

What we showed was fantastic football, but also a will and desire all over the pitch. That's the level now. We knew a team was going to get a drilling with how we've been playing, we've not had that luck in front of goal and now they've showed it.

It was a much-needed three points but we can't drop our level. This is the standard Frank Lampard has been demanding and although we've seen it here and there, the consistency in that game was fantastic, we've got to go on now.

Alex Iwobi answers Frank Lampard question

It was difficult to pick a man of the match. Pickford was not in the frame for it. Both full-backs were spot on, the two centre-backs were brilliant, we dominated midfield, the strikers did what we've been asking for them to do - but once again, Alex Iwobi.

His confidence and the way he's playing football is just a joy to watch. The energy, enthusiasm, when he's got the ball. He's getting his numbers up after Lampard asked 'can you add goals and assists?'

Iwobi has grabbed that opportunity, he is everywhere on the pitch, I don't even know where he plays! He could be in five or six different positions, he's all over the place trying to affect the game. He's gone to another level.

The fans are in awe of him, he probably ran home after the game and probably backheeled his dinner, his form is fantastic! He'll be proud he's turned it around at Everton, things hadn't gone how he planned but under Lampard, he's been absolutely fantastic and the fans rewarded that by singing his name.

Handling of Calvert-Lewin deserves credit

While there was pressure on Lampard from the outside, there weren't many Evertonians questioning Frank and I think Dominic was the reason.

All pre-season, he's been working at Finch Farm, getting the players up to speed. Frank wanted to get the players in and instil how he wanted his team to play and Calvert-Lewin was always going to be key in that. For that to get taken away from you two days before the season starts was huge bad luck. You've lost that focal point.

Those first five games, if he's on that pitch we're taking away more points, we didn't have a striker to put the ball in the back of the net.

We've got be very careful with how we use him and I think Frank has put the players before his job. Some other managers would've thrown him in there but he's looking after the welfare, showing his man-management. Everton's starting 11 with Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a lot stronger than without, I think Frank's made up with that.

While it wasn't panic stations, we need Dominic on that football pitch. He took his goal brilliantly by chasing down, forced the issue and got his rewards, hopefully that will kick start his confidence because it has been knocked. I have been injured, being injured is tough mentally but he's got the right manager there.

We're going to need him for the rest of the season. A fit Calvert-Lewin will win us games, it'll take time but I think Lampard will be made up.

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