Everton's Sunday evening clash with Manchester United will be an acid test for how far the Blues have come on under Frank Lampard, according to Graeme Souness.
The Toffees head into the hotly-anticipated home fixture riding high off back-to-back victories against Southampton and West Ham United and on an unbeaten run that now stretches to six Premier League matches.
That progress has been under-pinned by currently boasting the meanest defence in the top-flight and Sky Sports pundit Souness believes smart moves in the transfer market has allowed Everton to sure up their defence without breaking their budget.
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Writing for the Mail Online, Souness said: "It's a weekend for Everton to show how far they've developed, with Manchester United at Goodison. I think Frank Lampard has done a great job, going in there and now steadying the ship. With only seven goals conceded, they have the best defence in the Premier League so far.
"It's been so far, so good, with the signings. Frank has brought in battle-hardened Premier League players who know the journey they're on and who are able to take any criticism that comes their way. Conor Coady and James Tarkowski are the core of an excellent defensive unit: two good, solid pros, precisely what Everton needed, at really good value."
The Blues came under pressure to let one of their star players leave the club during the summer when Chelsea came calling for forward Anthony Gordon, but despite a reported large offer from the West London outfit, the crowd favourite ended up staying put and Souness is of the opinion that such a difficult decision was a vote of confidence in Lampard himself.
Souness added: "If the £60million figure being quoted for Anthony Gordon was right, Everton must have been sorely tempted but the fact he's still there shows Frank has the support he needs to build a successful team."
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