The financial cost of suffering relegation from the Premier League is estimated to be over £100million so in that respect, Everton stopping the rot with a 3-0 victory over Leeds United could prove to be priceless if it becomes a watershed moment in what so far has been a deeply troubled season.
There were many players in the home side who upped their game to deliver a long-overdue three points for the Blues in Frank Lampard’s first Premier League fixture at Goodison Park but a couple heroes came from particularly unlikely sources.
One of the initial changes the former Derby County and Chelsea boss made following his appointment was to switch to a 3-4-3 formation but injuries to centre-backs in both of Lampard’s first two games in charge – Ben Godfrey against Brentford and Yerry Mina at Newcastle United – forced him into a tactical reshuffled for Leeds’ visit and a return to a flat back four.
