Leeds United were denied the opportunity to record back-to-back wins at Goodison Park on Saturday afternoon.
Everton ran out 3-0 winners over the Whites, nullifying Marcelo Bielsa's key threats, while servicing their own.
Manager Frank Lampard, newly-installed on the blue half of Stanley Park, was understandably gleeful at full-time as he spoke with journalists.
The ex-Chelsea man praised Leeds' style but acknowledged his side outfought Marcelo Bielsa's outfit on the day.
Goals from Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane and Richarlison inflicted damage upon Leeds in a game which never looked as though it would swing their way.
Speaking after victory over the Whites, Lampard admitted his decision to start two strikers in a 4-4-2 formation was not entirely a tactical call.
Leeds struggled to deal with the approach Everton employed, as Robin Koch was forced to drop back into a defensive trio alongside Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente.
This left Leeds' midfield exposed as Mateusz Klich and Rodrigo Moreno are both players more inclined to attack than defend.
Bielsa admitted he put Klich in a difficult position and that this was an error of judgement.
"Well, part of it [the decision to play 4-4-2] was injuries, you lose two centre halves in Ben and Yerry," Lampard said in his post-match press conference.
Had Everton been able to call on first-choice defenders Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina, Lampard may have stuck with the three-man defensive setup he has favoured so far on Merseyside.
It is a system Lampard has typically employed throughout his managerial tenure, in particular at last job Chelsea, suggesting perhaps the injuries to Mina and Godfrey provided the ex-Derby County boss with no other alternative than the formation selected yesterday afternoon.
"Leeds are a fantastic team and everyone knows that, we saw it in the week, they never stop," Lampard added, paying Bielsa's side a compliment in defeat.
Leeds' next fixture is at home to Manchester United on Sunday February 20.
