Frank Lampard said Dele Alli earned his opportunity against Leicester City through his attitude and work at Finch Farm.
The former Tottenham Hotspur star had a significant impact after being brought on for Allan with Everton trailing in the second half.
It was his cross that fell to Richarlison for the Blues’ stoppage time equaliser as Everton battled until the final minutes before snatching a late draw.
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Lampard said he was pleased that Alli was able to influence the game - and that he deserved the plaudits for his role in a goal that could be crucial to Everton’s survival hopes.
He said: "We needed a goal, and he's trained well. To play at this level, with this competitive squad, you need to train at a maximum.
"It's not easy to demand from players who are not playing as much, to come in and impact - but you have to train well to show your manager you deserve a chance. He's done that, he's clearly done that in training.
"Then you get your bit of luck, or you create something that happens for you. He deserved it - he ran into the corner, he gets the ball back into the box and we score from it.
"I was really pleased with that part from him and hopefully that can be a big starting point for him."
Dele has struggled for minutes since his arrival late in the January transfer window. Lampard said work remains to be done but he is impressed with what he has seen so far and hopeful of further progression.
He said: "I've got a big level of communication with him. I explain a lot to him, which isn't stuff I want to sit here and talk about.
"But in terms of the demands of training, application and being ready for when that moment comes...I don't think the story was ever going to be simple. We know the situation with how he came to us, how the last two or three seasons have looked - and the high level of player that he reached for a big period of time.
"Sometimes you have to work and fight through things, and we're in that process with him."
