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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Adam Jones

Everton head and shoulders above Liverpool in one area as Frank Lampard change pays off

There's no doubts now. This 4-3-3 is Everton's best system.

Frank Lampard on the whole has begun this season in the way he finished the last, a five-man defence to try and nullify opposition and give his side a base to burst forward with pace. And you can see the logic behind that, especially considering the squad he had at his disposal to begin the term.

It worked well against Chelsea and in many respects the Blues were probably a little unlucky to lose that game, only falling behind to a penalty which was the one big individual error of the match. From that point on, though, fans were desperate to see a switch in formation.

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Too often they were seeing their side overrun in the centre of he pitch and giving away silly goals because of it. But, frustratingly, there was also the realisation that the players in the squad at that time couldn't provide the profiles so many desperately wanted to see.

Fast-forward to this match against Liverpool, and that sentiment couldn't be more different. This was a real battle in midfield, admittedly against a depleted Reds in that regard, but Everton were head-and-shoulders above their opponents in that position.

It was bold from Lampard to essentially match the visitors up in that sense rather than revert to the tried-and-tested five-man defence. But it was exactly what Evertonians wanted to see.

They wanted to witness their team on the front foot and taking the game to their opponents, pressing high up the pitch and making sure they couldn't settle. Lampard had clearly seen enough good qualities from his players against Leeds last time out to believe that the same trio could perform again at Goodison Park.

Alex Iwobi was fantastic once again, both in terms of creativity with the ball at his feet and having the hard graft to get back. It's not just his energy, but his intelligence to read where a pass is going before he intercepts it which makes him so impressive.

Tom Davies in the first half particularly showed exactly why Lampard trusted in him with a very vibrant performance. Allowed to push forward and roam a little more up the pitch, his effort in the first half cannoned off the post and almost gave his side the lead.

And Amadou Onana was arguably the best of them all. He was unfortunate to pick up a booking, but that didn't deter him at all with a selection of stunning sliding tackles in the second half.

Getting forward as well the summer signing used the ball very well, knowing when to shimmy and carry the ball across the halfway line and knowing when to play it safe and turn around.

Idrissa Gueye made his return to the side around the hour mark and slotted straight into the system too, with the kind of display that Evertonains have sorely missed from him.

Regardless of which players are in there, however, it's clear to see that this is the system Lampard now needs to build on. It makes his side more dangerous in attack without sacrificing much in terms of the defence - not least helped by Conor Coady and James Tarkowski's qualities.

If Everton play like they did on Saturday for the rest of the season, they'll be winning games in no time.

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