Everton manager and former Chelsea player Frank Lampard on Sunday heaped praise on the Merseyside club’s fans as he led his team to a surprise 1-0 victory over the Blues, whose misfortunes have compounded of late.

“The fans were the man of the match today, from the drive in to the support, which we need with where we are,” the 42-year-old told Sky Sports after the match, which Everton clinched thanks to a Richarlison goal.

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“They [the supporters] are in the middle of it, I’m pleased the players can see that and what it means to the fans. They got behind us and were nicely aggressive. We have been good at Goodison since I have been here and we have to maintain that,” Lampard explained.

However, he emphasized that it was important to stay grounded and level-headed for the matches ahead, saying, “We have to stay level-headed because there are a lot of points to play for and we are still in the relegation zone. We have to go with that same spirit in every game.”

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Indeed, the fans put on a show on Sunday, having promised a feisty atmosphere prior to the game.

“If it’s us against the world, that’s fine. Let’s have a siege mentality for these final games – because it’s that sort of spirit that can and will get us out of this,” the Everton Fans Forum had said in a statement earlier this week.

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Everton, founded in 1878, has a rich and illustrious history wherein they have only been relegated twice.

Facing relegation for the first time since 1954, the club’s fans have rallied to get behind their team in a bid to help the players finish the season in as strong a fashion as possible.