Frank Lampard said his coaching team and players were doing what they could to be prepared for the approaching Premier League season as an injury-hit line-up produced a comfortable win over Dynamo Kyiv.
The Blues boss was pleased with his side's performance as they ended their pre-season with a 3-0 victory in a game billed as a 'match for peace'. He praised the display of Alex Iwobi and Abdoulaye Doucoure as they played alongside each other in a makeshift centre midfield after injuries ruled a number of teammates out of action.
Both players were influential in the victory, repeatedly picking out wing-backs Nathan Patterson and Vitalii Mykolenko as Everton's threat largely came from out wide. After the game Lampard said the experimental partnership was partly the result of knocks to other players.
READ MORE: Meet the Everton fan who made it '4-0' with a penalty against Dynamo Kiyv
READ MORE: Everton player ratings as McNeil great and Tarkowski good vs Dynamo Kiyv
Tom Davies, who started and scored against Blackpool last week, and Andre Gomes - yet to play a minute during pre-season - both missed out due to injury, Lampard said.
With another central midfield option, Allan, only making the bench as he continues to recover from an issue this summer, Lampard explained the decision to partner Iwobi and Doucoure was influenced by the availability of others but concluded: "I thought they did pretty well."
He also explained Yerry Mina had missed out due to a minor injury. The club believe he should be able to return to training in midweek.
Despite the absences, Dominic Calvert-Lewin header and a brace from new signing Dwight McNeil helped Everton to victory in the club's first game back at Goodison Park since the memorable comeback win over Crystal Palace that secured the club's Premier League status.
Calvert-Lewin's goal came as he and Demarai Gray returned to action after missing the trip to Blackpool last week as a "precaution".
With just a week to go until Goodison Park hosts Everton's season opener with Chelsea and efforts ongoing to further strengthen following a week that included the signings of McNeil and left-wing back Ruben Vinagre, Lampard said he was, ultimately, pleased with what he had seen from his players during a pre-season that included a tour of the US.
Defeats to Arsenal and Minnesota United across the Atlantic were followed by a 4-2 win at Blackpool and Friday night's victory over Kyiv.
Following the match, Lampard said: "I'm pleased with the game. We have been improving as we have been going along with the work [in training] and players coming in and settling in.
"The season is coming around quick this year. With the internationals that went into June it feels like a slightly condensed pre-season for a lot of teams.
"I think we are in the same boat so the early weeks will be interesting and you can only work as well as you can to get everybody fit. As you saw today I'm still trying to divvy up minutes and give players minutes, so it's not perfect but the lads are working hard and we will be as prepared as we can be for next week."
READ NEXT:
- Everton CEO makes transfer pledge to fans and addresses Farhad Moshiri sale rumours
- Leon Osman offers Everton pre-season insight and makes Frank Lampard claim
- Dwight McNeil's first words as an Everton player following Burnley transfer
- Kevin Thelwell makes major Dwight McNeil claim as Frank Lampard lauds Everton transfer
- Dwight McNeil shouldn't be judged by Richarlison standard ahead of Everton transfer
