Frank Lampard praised his wing-backs for their attacking displays as he reverted to a back five for the pre-season friendly against Blackpool.
The Blues boss has spoken openly about his desire to have a squad capable of playing with four at the back. But after Everton's back four was exposed by Minnesota United in midweek, he returned to playing with five defenders in the 4-2 win over the Tangerines, as he did throughout the final, crucial weeks of last season's relegation fight.
In doing so Lampard was offered a glimpse into the attacking threat Everton can still pose with that approach as Nathan Patterson and Vitalii Mykolenko produced outstanding displays at the seaside.
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Lampard has spoken of the need for further signings to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season and, while the club was on tour in the US, he suggested he was limited to playing five at the back due to the players he had available. That position appeared to be backed up when MLS side Minnesota repeatedly exposed an Everton side that started with four in defence.
But on Sunday, Lampard went back to playing with five defenders and was rewarded with attacking displays from Patterson and Mykolenko that suggested they could pose a genuine threat to opponents in that formation.
Patterson claimed two assists while Mykolenko scored one and set up another in front of a sold-out away end at Bloomfield Road.
And speaking about his tactical approach after the game, Lampard said: "A five can be seen as more defensive with more bodies behind the ball. At times you need that, depending on your opponent. But when you want to have the ball, the wing-backs, and the width they offer, are a huge part of what you are doing with a back five, and you can get them high up the pitch with good play and good patterns and good ideas. I was really pleased with that today.
"The four and the five one [how many to play at the back] is something we have to look at as we go because we need to get the best performances out of the team. Sometimes that will depend on the opponent, sometimes that will depend on us. But with four the other day [against Minnesota] we were far too open and with four the other day, if we are going to be open like that, then it doesn't matter what system we play. It's important we keep viewing it as we go and play the system that suits us best."
Patterson is yet to start a Premier League game for Everton since his January transfer from Rangers, injury blighting the end of his first season with on Merseyside. But the Scotland defender was particularly impressive on Sunday and picked out Mykolenko for Everton's opening goal and Dele Alli for the Blues' fourth.
Lampard said: "He's a good young player and just as I was about to give him an opportunity last year he got injured before West Ham so it's great for me to be able to play him in these kind of games, where there are not points on it But you can see him and how he plays. He played really well for Scotland when he has played over this last year so it was good to see him play for us."
Mykolenko, who began to impress for Everton as he grew into the side following his arrival in January, had Everton's first shot on target, scored minutes later and then set up Dele for the first of his two goals.
Lampard was impressed with the positions the Ukraine international took up - and the threat he posed. The manager said: "With a back four the other day our full backs were going forward too much, so we have to understand what we are playing and the threat of a wing-back when we are playing with three centre-backs.
"He [Mykolenko] was there [high up the pitch] and he needs to be there - he can be there because he has got good physicality in that he can go up and down and he has got quality in high areas, which can improve and I think will get even better, so I was pleased with the positions he took up today."
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