Frank Lampard insists he has belief in his managerial ability despite seeing his Everton side fall to a humbling 4-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Tuesday.
Goals from Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Solly March and Pascal Gross rendered Demarai Gray’s late penalty a footnote and left the Toffees just a point above the Premier League bottom three having played a game more than the four teams currently below them.
It means Lampard has overseen just three wins in 18 league games this season, including just one in the previous 10.
Speaking after the final whistle at Goodison Park, he said: “It was very disappointing, even in the first half, I would say. (It was) a mistake from us for their goal, but I think general play was pretty even, we had our chances.
“But then three goals in six minutes, defensive mistakes from us and that finished the game. After that, the game became a bit in-between. We got our late goal, but at 4-0 the game’s done. Those six minutes were completely pivotal to the game with individual mistakes and collective defending issues.
“We’re all in it together, so it’s not a question of anger. We’re disappointed, we want to win games. Since I’ve been here I’ve been in a relegation battle (both last season and this season). I can’t control the talk but I don’t focus on it.
“I’m very confident in myself but I can’t predict the future. It’s Manchester United (in the FA Cup) next and that’s all we can look at.”
The 44-year-old was asked about the inevitable pressure on him given Everton’s recent run of results. “You have to get used to the fact you’re not going to win every week, you’re not going to win games, so we have to get back to the work — simple as that,” he added.
“I’m a Premier League football manager, there’s pressure in the job wherever you are. There are always expectations, parametres and things that you want to get to. There’s constant pressure. I can only focus on what I can control.”
And though he refused to go into detail, Lampard hinted at the fact he would be looking to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window.
“We’re trying to help the squad, I’ve said that. We know that, with January coming, we want to help the squad, so we’ll look at that.”
Everton were once the club on the periphery of the top-four looking to break into the elite, while Brighton were seeking a return to the top flight for the first time since 1983. Tuesday’s contest only underlined how far Brighton have come since sealing promotion thanks to the implementation of an effective coaching and recruitment structure at the club, while Everton stumble from one crisis to another every season.
In September, Brighton lost arguably their biggest asset in Graham Potter when Chelsea prised away the manager. But his successor Roberto De Zerbi has come in and masterminded a mini-revival.
