For Frank Lampard, that impressive 4-1 victory over Brentford in the FA Cup must feel like a lifetime ago. The former Chelsea boss was jumping around the Goodison Park touchline with glee that day, looking rejuvenated as he returned to management for the time since being sacked by the Blues over 12 months prior.
As Lampard contagiously beamed from ear-to-ear after that victory, you could have been tricked into thinking he was going to work wonders in the blue half of Merseyside — pulling the Toffees out of a sticky situation left by ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez and guiding Everton back up to the right end of the table.
But the standards Lampard’s men set that day have never quite been replicated, with Everton losing eight of their 11 Premier League games since the 43-year-old took the reigns and relegation now looks like a very real possibility for the Liverpool-based side with those who bet on football.
The job always appeared as a risk for Lampard, who seems to already be at a crossroads in his career. It has got to be going worse than he could have ever imagined though, with rumours starting to circulate that he might not even see out the task until the end of the season.
Transfers
The arrival of Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek, outcasts at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, respectively, were well received by Everton fans on transfer deadline day — which also happened to be Lampard’s first day at Finch Farm.
But neither have really impressed, with Alli, who could potentially end up costing Everton a huge £40 million, yet to make a start thus far — coming off the bench eight times with little impact — while van de Beek has been virtually non-existent in central midfield.
You could be forgiven for forgetting that the Toffees also signed Nathan Patterson from Rangers for £12m, with the 20-year-old yet to make a Premier League appearance.
Lack of form
Everton started the season in decent form, picking up 14 points from the opening seven games of the campaign. However, in the 21 games that followed, the Toffees have been the worst team in the league — picking up a mere 14 points from the 66 on offer.
Often when a new manager comes in, form can change as they endure a bit of a honeymoon period. But aside from that 4-1 win over Brentford in the Cup and the recent 1-0 win over Manchester United, Lampard hasn’t had much joy and he’s been unable to get Everton ticking in the league — losing seven out of his 11 matches.
Key players failing to step up
This has been an issue at the club long before Lampard’s arrival, but his job hasn’t been made any easier with their key players being so far off the pace. Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane are often slated for their dire performances at the back, while Richarlison has scored just seven times in 25 league games.
The Toffees’ talisman, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, looks a shadow of his former self after returning from that lengthy injury. Such a key player under Carlo Ancelotti last season, the 25-year-old scored three in three at the start of the season but is now 10 games without a goal — and that is proving costly for Everton.
Tactics and style
Lampard claimed to have an ‘exciting and aggressive’ vision when he got the job, with an onus on being confident in possession, controlling games and being very exciting to watch. It goes without saying that this is not what we have seen thus far from Everton, and with that ‘vision’ one of the main reasons Bill Kenwright went for Lampard, his job must be in danger.
Aside from the 4-1 and 3-0 wins over Brentford and Leeds United, respectively, Everton have been diabolic. To blow a 2-1 half-time lead over fellow relegation contenders Burnley, losing 3-2, is just mind-boggling and serious questions need to be asked or the Toffees can wave goodbye to their Premier League status.