Frank Lampard said it was important for him to be an 'actor' as he addressed his players at half-time against Crystal Palace.
Everton were losing 2-0 after goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew looked set to send the Blues to Arsenal on Sunday with their Premier League status still under threat. But goals from Michael Keane, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin secured a remarkable comeback win that guaranteed the club will remain in the top flight.
Lampard made tactical changes at the break, bringing Dele Alli on for Andre Gomes and moving Alex Iwobi into midfield.
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Asked what he was thinking as his side entered the dressing room ahead of such an important 45 minutes, the manager said he had to conceal some of his inner thoughts in order to inspire the players as well as presenting them with a coherent strategy.
He said: "Part of managing is acting. You hide your inner thoughts. I'm thinking, because the game wasn't going our way, the second goal was so bad for us. But it was like 'OK, we've changed to 4-3-3. We are going to change Dele - bring on Dele for legs and energy. Can you get nearer the front men?'"
While tactics were clearly on his mind - with Alli sent out to warm up alone during the break - Lampard said it was the emotional aspect of the situation he had to primarily focus on.
He added: "What is important is how much fight and spirit you have got to turn this game around. Because at that point my feeling was 'if get one goal this crowd is going to erupt'. And they [the crowd] sucked the ball into the goal as the old saying goes when it gets to the Gwladys Street end. So can we do something about that - and the rest is them."
