Former Liverpool manager and player Graeme Souness has told Everton that they must build consistency if they are to stand any chance of avoiding relegation.
On Sunday, Everton recorded a shock 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park thanks to Richarlison’s second half goal to close their five-point gap on Leeds United and Burnley above them to just two points.
The Toffees do have just five games left of the season to make a late scramble for safety, but what is on their side is the fact that Everton do have a game in hand on both Burnley and Leeds, with one of the trio set to be relegated alongside already-relegated Norwich City and Watford, whose relegation is likely to be confirmed this weekend.
Under Lampard, Everton have accrued just 13 Premier League points, with all 13 of those coming in there home stadium at Goodison Park, a worrying statistic considering three of their last five league matches are on the road.
Following Everton’s shock win over current Champions League holders and Lampard’s former side Chelsea, Souness praised the togetherness and fight displayed by the hosts on Merseyside, even though the win was not courtesy of a very technical display.
While Souness was impressed in some ways, he questioned why Everton’s players have not played like that regularly this season, leading to fears of a a first relegation in over 70 years.
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"They [Everton] competed all over the pitch from the first minute to the last," Souness said on Sky Sports.
"They only had 22 per cent of the ball but they deserved to win the game simply because their attitude and aggression showed they were trying to win the game. The question you've got to ask yourself is, why has it not been like that all season? It's in the players, you can't just do it when the crowd are up for it. They have to be like that in every remaining game."
Everton’s run of their final five Premier League games in the space of a fortnight start on Sunday afternoon when they take on a Leicester City side who are hoping to reach the final of this season’s Europa Conference League.
Three days after that, Everton are again on the road and will prepare to face a Watford team who are likely to have already been relegated by the time that meeting takes place.
Everton then have a double header at home against London opposition, two massive games for Lampard’s men considering their record at home. The first of those ties is on May 15 against Brentford, four days before hosting Crystal Palace.
The Toffees’ final game of the season is away from home against Arsenal, who currently lead the race for fourth place and Champions League qualification over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
