Everton boss Frank Lampard has emphasized the impact that the fans at Goodison Park can have ahead of the clash with Brighton this evening, insisting that it can give the players a “unique dimension”.
The Blues welcome Roberto De Zerbi’s side to Goodison hoping to build on the impressive 1-1 draw at league champions Manchester City last Saturday, a result that ended a run of 4 consecutive defeats in all competitions.
Indeed, Brighton will be a tough test of Lampard’s side, and while the Toffees’ boss states that the collective fight for the club has to start with him and his players, the 44-year-old believes that the fans contribution will also be key.
The Everton boss said, “The world saw the effect you can have on the team last season, and we saw that in key results, such as the home wins over the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, as well as coming from 2-0 down at half-time for the all-important 3-2 win over Crystal Palace during the run-in.
“While nobody wants a repeat of that time, it is important to highlight the positivity and energy you can have every time we play, particularly at Goodison.
“I know how difficult that can be in tough moments but the feeling you can create inside Goodison is something that gives us a unique dimension.”
Everton will be without the suspended Amadou Onana, who misses out due to picking up a fifth yellow card of the season in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad, forcing Lampard into a midfield shake-up for tonight’s game, as Aboulaye Doucoure or Tom Davies could start in place of the Belgian.
A win could lift the Blues to 13th in the Premier League table, provided other results go our way, but with just one point separating Everton and the bottom three, Everton remain in a precarious position ahead of the first tie of 2023