Frank Lampard insists Everton must fight to stay in the Premier League after Wolves defeat

Frank Lampard has demanded Everton’s players show the fight that will prove they are determined to win their battle against relegation. 

Everton are only outside the bottom three on goal difference and while they have three games in hand on some of their basement rivals, their tally of 22 points is the lowest they have had at this stage of a campaign. 

A run of two wins in 20 games has been calamitous.

The Toffees are only outside the bottom three on goal difference after their 1-0 loss by Wolves

Lampard, whose side were beaten 1-0 by Wolves, is adamant there is enough time remaining in the season to change what looks an increasingly bleak situation but the only that will happen is if they are prepared to knuckle down – starting against Newcastle on Thursday.

‘It is my job to pick the team up,’ said Lampard, who would not give specific details on when Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who missed this fixture with illness – would return.

‘It is my job to be confident, to be positive, to be realistic and the realistic view is we have 12 games.

‘Of course games in hand are only any good if you win them. We are waiting for that moment when something turns in our favour. 

Boss Lampard is adamant there is enough time left in the season to change the bleak situation 

‘It was a difficult game for the lads because it was ok until a cross and a clean header goes against us. Maybe it will turn in our favour but all we can can do is work.

‘We can’t think about “maybes” and “what ifs”, about home games or away games. We just have to work and fight. 

‘That’s what these positions demand. If you want to get to the top of the league you have to fight. If you want to make sure you stay in the league, you want to fight.’

Bruno Lage, Wolves’ manager, hailed man-of-the-match Ruben Neves saying: ‘Another good performance. 

‘What I want from Ruben, I think he has the talent to be the top of the top.’