EFL Cup

Everton boss Frank Lampard content with narrow EFL Cup win over Fleetwood Town

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 23 August 2022

Frank Lampard says that he was content with his side's performance as Everton recorded a 1-0 victory away at Fleetwood Town in the EFL Cup second round.

Everton boss Frank Lampard has suggested that he was content with how his side came through a tight EFL Cup fixture with Fleetwood Town to win 1-0 on Tuesday night.

The Toffees went into the tie having collected just one point and scored just two goals in their opening three matches in the Premier League.

Lampard took the opportunity to make seven changes to his starting lineup, handing a first start to big-money arrival Amadou Onana and a senior debut to 18-year-old defender Reece Welch.

The only goal of the game at Highbury came just before the half-hour mark as Everton capitalised on Fleetwood giving the ball away before Demarai Gray converted smartly from 14 yards out.

The Merseyside outfit failed to build on their lead with Lampard instead opting to hand chances to academy players Lewis Warrington and Stanley Mills.

However, Lampard was happy with how his team got over the line, booking their place in the last 32 in the process.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Lampard said: "We played better in certainly two of our games and not got what we deserved. Tonight, the win is nice, parts of the performance I liked, individuals got minutes. We can improve, we can be a bit more intense.

"Moments when we could make a killer pass or take control of the game we were a little loose. It was a good test for us but in terms of our performance, I am not going to say it is amazing, but I've played in many of these types of games and I have been beaten. I know they are not easy."

Everton conclude the month with successive away trips to Brentford and Leeds United in the Premier League.