Frank Lampard cut an exasperated figure as Dele Alli squandered a gilt-edged chance during Everton 's 4-0 drubbing by Minnesota United on Thursday morning.
The Toffees' second pre-season friendly in America ended disastrously as the Merseyside club were on the wrong end of a four-goal hammering by Minnesota. Summer signing James Tarkowski put the ball in his own net while Emanuel Reynoso, Luis Amarilla and Abu Danladi scored for the hosts in the convincing win for the Major League Soccer side.
It was Everton's second consecutive defeat after they were soundly beaten 2-0 by Arsenal on Sunday. Summing up what has been a troubling pre-season so far, Alli was guilty of missing a golden opportunity to get his side back in the game while they were 3-0 down.
Picked out in the box at the end of a brilliant low cross, the Englishman was only a few yards out in front of an open goal but somehow steered the ball wide when it seemed easier to score. Lampard’s reaction to the incident has been spotted and it is safe to say that the Chelsea legend was staggered at seeing Alli's miss. The dejected manager could not bring himself to get out of his seat but simply motioned in the direction of the pitch while talking to his assistant, flabbergasted by what he had just witnessed.
For Everton, the embarrassing defeat in Minnesota continues what has been a disappointing summer for them both on and off the pitch. A side that narrowly avoided relegation last season, they will go into the new campaign without star forward Richarlison, who was sold to Tottenham for £60million earlier this month.
Lampard’s side have only made one signing so far, bringing in centre-back Tarkowski on a free transfer following his exit from recently relegated side Burnley.
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Speaking after the shock defeat by Minnesota, who sit eighth in MLS standings, Lampard warned his side that improvement is needed if they are going to avoid another relegation dog scrap.
“The players have to work and understand we were in a relegation battle for a big portion of last season,” Lampard told Everton TV. “We had an amazing night [defeating Crystal Palace to avoid relegation] and an amazing run but, as soon as that finished, I put it to bed very quickly, so the players have to put it to bed as well, because we were in that fight for a reason.
"And if we don’t want to be in that situation again, they have to better and I have to be better.
“As a club, it [the Minnesota game] reinforced the situation in terms of what we need to do with the squad, because it has to be stronger that what we saw tonight.”
Everton will now return home from America and continue their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Championship side Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Sunday.
Lampard’s side conclude their friendlies on Friday, July 29, when they will host Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv at Goodison Park.
