Chris Sutton shares Frank Lampard sack verdict at Everton, predicts score v Manchester United in FA Cup
Everton will be aiming to use the FA Cup as a springboard to end their dreadful league form when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United in the 3rd Round.
The Toffees enter this intriguing tie off the back of a damaging and disappointing 4-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion [3 January] on home turf in the Premier League, and Chris Sutton believes manager Frank Lampard “could lose his job” if they suffer a similar defeat in Manchester.
The pundit, and former player, however intriguingly thinks the Toffees could “nick” a 1-0 win “against the odds” at Old Trafford, while sharing his FA Cup predictions for BBC Sport.
Manchester United are in excellent form at the moment, winning registering four Premier League wins on the spin catapulting them into the top four at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur. And Erik ten Hag will be wanting a strong cup run from his side, but Sutton thinks it won’t be plain sailing for the Red Devils.
“Coming off a bad defeat at home to Brighton, there is no leeway for Frank Lampard when it comes to his team selection for struggling Everton’s trip to Manchester United,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“Lampard made lots of changes when his side played Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup in November, and they lost heavily. If the same happens this time, then there is a good chance he could also lose his job.
“But because of the circumstances, and also because of what happened the last time Everton were in Manchester – for a battling draw with City a few days ago – I just have a feeling they can nick something here against the odds.”
Away win possible
Lampard will certainly be using this tie as a weapon to spur his boys on to improve their confidence and form. Sutton is indeed right, it won’t be easy for Manchester United in this tie as the Toffees will be hell-bent on giving their supporters something to shout about again following their dreadful result in midweek.
Anything can happen in the FA Cup, and it’s a competition Lampard loves having won it multiple times with Chelsea.
A strong cup run for the Toffees could well be a tool to get the fans on side, with many fans calling for Lampard to be sacked after their latest disappointment.
Beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup is the stuff of dreams, and it’s what makes an away win certainly possible on Friday evening.