‘Fair play’ - Frank Lampard’s classy Newcastle United verdict after Everton win

Frank Lampard believes Newcastle United are “working in a really good direction” after beating his Everton side 1-0.

Miguel Almiron’s standout goal near the half-hour mark earned the Magpies their fourth win of the Premier League campaign and extend their unbeaten run to six.

Head coach Eddie Howe was the first to admit United didn’t play as well as they could have but dug deep to see out the victory.

Newcastle have lost just once at St James’ Park in 2022, another example of the club’s progress since the new owners arrived last year.

Lampard was asked about Newcastle’s progress specifically and said: “We played through one of the best aggressive pressers in the league.

“It’s a very strong squad. I know Eddie and his team relatively well - they’re working in a really good direction. The club is at a different level from where it’s been in many years.

“The signings they made in January and in the summer have made them stronger. You can see there is a belief around the stadium and on the pitch and they’ve got a physical and athletic style. They give you a lot of problems.

“Fair play, they’re working in a really good direction and respect that they’re in a different phase. They’ll give anyone that comes here a tough game.”

Lampard, on the result, added: “They are a physical team, they are fast on the counters so they will always give teams problems. I don’t think they gave us huge amounts of problems.

“The amount of times we played through their midfield with good play and the next bit isn’t there. That is why the stats read low on chances. We should have had many more chances than we created. That is the one reflection I have on the game.”