Everton earned a much-needed three points on Saturday afternoon courtesy of an excellent 3-0 home win over Leeds United.
Goals from Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Anthony Gordon helped the Blues on their way to victory as Frank Lampard secured his first league win as manager of the side.
Now sitting five points above the relegation zone with two games in hand, the pressure has been momentarily lifted as Everton look to continue their climb up the Premier League table.
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The Toffees received high praise for their performance on home soil, highlighted by the reaction of the national media to the triumph.
'The noise of Everton fans singing his name could prove of greater long-term significance even than this victory'
Ian Whittell of the Telegraph wrote:
"Frank Lampard continued his quest to win over the hearts and minds of Everton supporters, although that task will prove considerably easier if 20-year-old homegrown youngster Anthony Gordon continues in such form.
"Having had a hand in Everton’s first two goals, the England Under-21 winger claimed the third for himself after Richarlison’s splendid 18-yard shot deflected off him on its way into the Leeds goal.
"For Lampard, the noise of Everton fans singing his name in the closing stages could prove of greater long-term significance even than this victory, given the febrile, self-destructive atmosphere that was generated by the very presence of Rafael Benitez, his predecessor, during the recent terrible run."
'Leeds found themselves completely outrun and outfought'
Joe Bernstein of the Daily Mail wrote:
"If Lampard was concerned by the midweek defeat at Newcastle which also saw Demarai Gray and Yerry Mina injured, it didn't show.
"Everton reverted to a flat back-four and for once Leeds found themselves completely outrun and outfought.
"With the result settled before the end of injury-time, Lampard had the luxury of applauding the fans chanting his name."
*RATE THE EVERTON PLAYERS FOR THE WIN OVER LEEDS:
'Frank Lampard has galvanised Goodison Park'
Andy Hunter of the Guardian wrote:
"Frank Lampard has galvanised Goodison Park. For the second Saturday in succession the club’s new manager celebrated a resounding home win with a clenched-fist salute in front of a jubilant Gwladys Street end.
"For only the second time in five punishing months, Everton savoured the release of victory in the Premier League. Three games into his reign and Lampard has already witnessed the extremes of this Everton team. Error-prone in defeat at Newcastle on Tuesday, here their intensity, discipline and creativity could not be faulted as Leeds were handed a comprehensive beating.
"Séamus Coleman and Michael Keane polished a superb first-half display with headed goals. Anthony Gordon, steering Richarlison’s shot into the bottom corner late on, capped another impressive individual performance to seal Lampard’s first league win as Everton manager.
"His team had 21 attempts on goal and 10 on target – the first time Everton have hit those figures in a Premier League game since 2013. Marcelo Bielsa’s side were dominated throughout and, despite flashes of inspiration from Rodrigo, rarely threatened to repeat their stirring recovery at Aston Villa in midweek."
'The Goodison crowd were in fine voice as Leeds were put under pressure'
Emma Sanders of BBC Sport wrote:
"The pressure was on Everton to deliver after a dreadful run of form - and Lampard's side showed intensity from the first minute.
"Gordon almost made it 1-0 within seconds of kick-off, only to be denied by an excellent last-ditch block from Luke Ayling.
"The hosts were well on top in the early stages too, with the Goodison crowd in fine voice as Leeds were put under pressure.
"Coleman's passionate celebration - a roar towards the home fans, a badge clutch and a kiss for Richarlison on the cheek - showed how much it meant for the captain to put his side in the lead.
"Everton maintained their intensity after that and big tackles from Mason Holgate and Iwobi were appreciated by supporters, before Richarlison received a big cheer for his work in winning the corner which led to the second goal."
