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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

'You could see' - Michail Antonio delivers brutal Everton assessment after playing against them for West Ham

West Ham striker Michail Antonio says "you could see" Frank Lampard's time was up at Everton during their 2-0 win over the Blues last weekend.

The defeat at the London Stadium extended Everton's torrid run to one win in 14 games as the former Chelsea midfielder's time in the Goodison Park dugout came to an end.

On Monday, 48 hours after the loss saw them slump to 19th, he was relieved of his duties after just 357 days.

READ MORE: Inside the 120 hours that shook Everton to the core

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Their dismal showing encapsulated a tumultuous week in the Blue half of Merseyside with Everton board members watching on from executive seats in east London.

Antonio, who assisted West Ham and Jarrod Bowen's second goal, issued a damning statement on Lampard's side.

"Honestly, you could say there's a bit of turmoil, I heard a bit of turmoil between him [Frank Lampard] and the players the week before they played," he said speaking on the Footballer's Football Podcast.

"Even when they were playing, they were 2-0 down in the 80th minute - they still weren't trying to get the ball forward, it was just around the back so we just left them on it.

"You could see it was time for Frank Lampard, having arguments with players, 2-0 down and they're playing it around the back and still not trying to get forward with it. They had a couple of moments but they looked down, looked like they needed a change and right now, that's what the owner done."

Everton have yet to make an addition to their squad in the 27 days of the January transfer window. The closest they came to bolstering their side was in the form of Arnaut Danjuma.

However, Tottenham swooped in and hijacked the Blues' deal for the former Bournemouth attacker - taking him on a six-month loan with an option to buy.

Anthony Gordon looks set for a Goodison Park exit as speculation over a move to Newcastle United ramps up. The academy graduate missed a third day of training this week on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Antonio has been linked with a move away from West Ham this season after falling down the pecking order. Danny Ings arrived on the eve of Everton's visit which thrust his future in the capital under more scrutiny - however the former Southampton and Aston Villa striker has since been ruled out for a few weeks with a muscle injury.

But Antonio didn't rule out a late move away from the club he has been at since 2015. Leaving the exit door open, he added: "Honestly, I’ve not ruled anything out. That’s all I can say. There are talks, so whatever happens, happens.

"I’ve been here for eight-and-a-half years now, become top goalscorer for the club [in the Premier League] and I’ve loved every moment. Every single moment is close to my heart. I love the fans, I’ve loved my time at West Ham.

"It’s just one of those things. I’m not saying goodbye, I’m saying basically, if it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I won’t be upset about staying and I’ll definitely be upset if I leave because obviously I’ve enjoyed my time here, but football is football.

"Players move, players stay and eight-and-a-half years at one club, I would never have thought of it because before I came to West Ham the most I stayed at a club was two years.

"I’ve still got a year-and-a-half here. I can’t say I’m going because I’ve still got a year-and-a-half left at the club."

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