George Overhill

Sun 6 February 2022 20:10, UK

Andre Gomes was “outstanding” for Everton in the 4-1 win over Brentford having taken Frank Lampard’s words on board, according to Phil McNulty.

The new manager’s first game in charge was an uplifting FA Cup victory that helped banish the memories of the Rafael Benitez era.

The BBC’s Chief Sports Writer, was full of praise for the Portuguese midfielder’s role in the game, and linked it directly to the impact the ex-Chelsea man has made in training.

McNulty wrote in his BBC match report: “It is clear Lampard’s style will be more proactive and positive than Benitez, who felt the players he had were not at their best in possession.

“A Twitter clip of Lampard telling Everton’s players to ‘enjoy the ball’ in his first training session has captured the attention of supporters and Andre Gomes, who has struggled in the past, certainly looked he had taken the words to heart.

“He was outstanding, relishing being on the ball and creating, rather than looking like had been presented with a live hand grenade, which has occasionally appeared to be the case this season.”

Music to Everton ears

Plenty of focus has been put on the midfielders at Goodison since Lampard’s arrival, and rightly so.

The new manager is in the conversation for the greatest Premier League midfielder ever.

He is credited with the development of one of England’s current young heroes in Mason Mount after their time together at Derby and Chelsea.

Three points were the main priority on Saturday and they arrived in style.

The performance hinted at some of the defensive questions that have dogged the former West Ham man’s managerial career so far, but the confidence on the ball and the attacking intent was exactly what fans wanted to see.

Lampard’s managerial standing will only grow if there is clear evidence of his influence on individual players like there was with the former Barcelona man.

In other Everton news, one Goodison star has been subjected to an astonishing attack from this BT Sport man.