Frank Lampard believes the way his Everton side set-up at the weekend has provided them with the perfect defensive 'template' moving forward and hailed Jonjoe Kenny’s attitude.
Goals from Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Anthony Gordon helped the Blues record a fine 3-0 win over Leeds United at Goodison Park.
It was the first time the Blues had claimed all three points in the Premier League since they beat Arsenal 2-1 at the start of December.
However, the game was also the first time the Blues have managed to keep a clean sheet since they drew 0-0 with Tottenham Hotspur at the start of November.
And Lampard believes that keeping clean sheets is not only a real team effort, but that the more his side keeps, the more chances they have of winning matches.
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He said: “Without a doubt, clean sheets or conceding can sometimes be looked on as something for defenders and the goalkeeper but it is a team thing; can we keep our opponents far away from our goal and win the ball high up the pitch?
“Yes, we certainly did that. There will always be moments when you have to defend your box – and the lads dealt really well with anything that came in there.
“It is a template we need to take forward. If you are keeping clean sheets, you have a great chance in games, especially with what we have going forwards.”
Everton were missing Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina and Vitalii Mykolenko for the game, with Jonjoe Kenny having to fill in at left-back.
Kenny has had to bide his time for Everton this season, with his appearance at the weekend being only his fourth league start of the campaign.
And Lampard has explained how Kenny is the type of player who will give his all when given the nod to play.
“I love Jonjoe’s attitude in training every day… he loves Everton and always wants to train and do better. Any session and any drill you do, he wants to give everything,” he said.
“And he is a quality player, [good with] both feet and technically very good for a defender. He will give you everything, positionally he was great, in terms of holding his position, then jumping out and making tackles at the right time.
“Jonjoe is perfect for any game – but especially when we needed discipline and effort and toughness, and he showed those things. I was really pleased with him.”
Kenny was one of a number of contenders to be named man of the match, but Lampard believes that award deserves to go to Alex Iwobi for his performance.
“It was hard to pick a man of the match out of those 11 players but, for me, it was Alex,” the Blues boss told evertontv.
“The reason was the work ethic he showed, his fitness throughout the game, the way he picked up the positions we wanted off the ball and kept wanting to receive the ball and drive and play.
“He played because he trained so well and that is something I stand behind strongly as a coach. Sometimes you pick a team and people outside don’t understand why you pick a player. I understand that, too.
“But when someone trains as well as he has [he deserves to play]. All I want is for Alex to have belief and feel the talent he has – I am not sure I expected that 90 minutes of work-rate. He hadn’t played for me... and, wow, I thought he was outstanding.
“I was really happy with Donny, playing in a midfield two against Leeds is tough because of their movement and rotation of bodies. Him and Allan were fantastic.
“ Donny on the ball gives us a sense of calm and intelligence and rhythm – and he is going to get better and better. He has been a dream to work with in the short time he’s been here.”
Before the Everton boss concluded: “We need to be compact, so you need good coverage of the pitch. If the full-backs are joining in the attack, someone else is trying to balance that off.
“We worked a lot on that, you can’t be open – and I loved the way the boys took that on board. Atmosphere and spirit are key. There is a talent in the squad they have to believe in.
“If you can get that right through the week and bounce back from tough moments, that is key in this Premier League.
“And that is the players, they did it. They were at it in the dressing room – I could feel it before the game and they absolutely delivered on the pitch.”
