Many have believed for a number of weeks that Everton's chances of survival in the Premier League hinges heavily on their form at Goodison Park.
It's well documented that the Blues have massively struggled on their travels across 2021/22. They have the worst away form in the Premier League, with just six points acquired, with their last victory on the road coming all the way back in August at Brighton.
However, in recent weeks Frank Lampard has been credited with helping to turn the mood of the club around despite those away-day difficulties continuing and keeping his side in a relegation fight. The huge amount of spirit shown by both the supporters and the players before and during Sunday's vital home victory over Chelsea showed that - and typified the feeling of Goodison being key.
READ MORE: Frank Lampard facing fitness challenges in crucial spell that will decide Everton fate
READ MORE: 'If we do that' - Jordan Pickford outlines Everton plan for final five games
Lampard has now taken charge of as many home matches, in all competitions, as his predecessor Rafael Benitez, who also enjoyed better form at home than when he took the team on their travels. But there are significant signs of an evolution under the new manager.
The Spaniard's nine matches in the home dugout at Goodison, which were all in the league, brought four victories - with three of those coming in his first three home games in charge. However, on the flip side, he also suffered an embarrassing defeat to Watford, along with three more losses.
Benitez picked up 13 points from his nine Premier League matches in charge on Everton's own turf - the same amount of points as Lampard has picked up. However, the current Blues boss has taken charge of two fewer league games at Goodison.
Also including the home FA Cup victories over Brentford and Boreham Wood, Lampard has claimed six wins and one draw at home since his appointment at the end of January, only losing to Manchester City and Wolves in that time. And, even then, the former of those was an extremely controversial loss.
Benitez's Everton scored 15 goals to 13 under Lampard in his nine Goodison matches - but the real difference comes on the defensive side.
In their last nine home games under Lampard - including those aforementioned FA Cup wins - the Blues have only conceded on four occasions. Under Benitez, at the beginning of the season, his nine home games in charge led to 16 goals being scored by opponents. Many thought the former Liverpool boss would make Everton hard to break down, at least.
Off the pitch, much has been made of what Lampard has been able to do. He's uniting the fans behind him and his players, with the match against Chelsea the culmination of a collective push for much better from everyone involved at the club.
But it's interesting to see the improvements that have been made on the pitch as well. Home form wasn't strictly labelled as poor under Benitez but Lampard has still managed to evolve it further still.
