Frank Lampard and Dwight McNeil highlighted the incredible support they received from Everton's travelling fans at Southampton.
Both were among the celebrations in front of the away end after the final whistle as the Blues players and coaching staff revelled in an important victory on the south coast. The side had performed to the soundtrack of their own fanbase throughout the game and the noise levels increased at the end.
They each expressed their gratitude to an away end filled with supporters who had committed to the near-500 mile round trip despite a cost of living crisis, limited rail services due to industrial action and bad weather on the Friday night. McNeil described the away following as "class" while the Blues boss explained: "It is what we are in football for."
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When the final whistle went on Saturday it was Vitalii Mykolenko who was the first player to go to the away section, the Ukraine international handing his shirt to a supporter. Everyone followed and Lampard was later asked how important he felt it was for the whole squad to show it appreciated those who had backed them.
He said: "They support us incredibly with how vocal they are when they travel and there is definitely a sense, I can say that, of the fans appreciating seeing the character in the team that they want and they demand and that will always help the link. The players have got to pay that back which means a) performing and winning games and b) going over and respecting them at the end. If we can continue that bond then that makes for a healthier, stronger club."
Asked how the support had inspired him, match winner McNeil described the fans as "class" and said: "It shows the commitment and the love they have for the club... That result was them, for the club and us. I am new to it but it is unbelievable support, home and away they are always there supporting us, and we couldn't thank them enough."
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