Everton will stick with Frank Lampard despite the ex-Chelsea and Derby County boss enduring a nightmarish start to life at Goodison Park. The club is within touching distance of the Premier League’s relegation zone despite Saturday noon’s win over Manchester United.
A 1-0 win against United eased the pressure on Lampard and the club after reports had emerged that the former’s job was under scrutiny due to his failure to steer the club away from the imminent relegation threat.
However, even before the Toffees had earned the three points against the Red Devils at home, Lampard’s job was thought to be safe, with the club hierarchy unsure whether removing him prematurely would have changed their prospects of staying in the division this close to the end of the season.
Lampard had responded to the reports in his pre-match press conference – 48 hours following his team’s gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat against fellow relegation candidates Burnley – by claiming that he doesn’t worry about it.
“I can’t control it so I can’t worry about it. I have tried to answer it honestly. I am not stupid, you take up a job as a manager in the Premier League, and maybe in the situation I came into here or at Chelsea where I go into it with a ban and half a team of kids who were playing in the Championship the year before, yet the expectation was we finish in the top four.
“That’s just the reality of the job we do. So in that sense, I’m not worried. I am just worried I get my job right tomorrow,”
he had said.
The win against Manchester United gave Everton some breathing space and eased the pressure on Lampard – despite the reports claiming that the Englishman was secure in his job.
The Toffees’ academy graduate Anthony Gordon scored the only goal of the game in the 27th minute. The youngster’s shot from outside the box took a massive deflection off of Harry Maguire on its way past David de Gea before some resolute defending helped them see out the win.
