Manager Frank Lampard felt it was a collective effort driven by the supporters that lifted Everton to victory over Chelsea.
The Toffees went into the match five points from safety but are now just two points behind both Burnley and Leeds. And the Merseysiders have a game in hand on the duo directly above them in the standings. There were no goals in the first 45 minutes.
But Richarlison’s ninth of the campaign scored just one minute after the interval proved enough to claim the spoils.
Everton now have their fate in their own hands. And Lampard paid tribute to the way the home faithful got behind their heroes all day long.
“They are always a team that will put you under pressure late on,” he told Sky Sports. “We did brilliantly. The team, stadium, the fans were man of the match today. From the drive in to the support, which we need. Thanks to them.
“The fans are in the middle of this. I am pleased the players could see on the way in what it means to the fans. They know that and understand it.
“They got behind us, were nicely aggressive, this place has to be a hard place to come. Results have been good here at Goodison before I came, we have to maintain that.”
Lampard wants more of the same
Everton have struggled with both Rafa Benitez and Lampard at the helm. They are a club thought proverbially ‘too big to go down’.
However, Lampard doesn’t see it that way. He admitted he got stuck into his charges ahead of the match and was pleased with their response.
“We have to fight for points, we are in the relegation zone and we have to go with that same spirit every game,” he added.
“They [the players] have to show they care. I like that. They don’t have to go over the line but have to show they care, the fans want to see that.
“I prodded them a bit before the game because the situation is clear. We need to perform with that level in all our remaining games. That needs to keep coming in and if it doesn’t we have to sort it…
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