In his first 90 minutes in charge of Everton, Frank Lampard achieved a few things Rafa Benitez failed to manage in six months.
His team scored four times, something that never happened under the Spaniard, and defenders Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate grabbed their first goals since the Carlo Ancelotti era.
More importantly, chants of ‘Super Frankie Lampard’ echoed around Goodison Park from fans who had stayed silent for his predecessor, apart from the occasional shout of abuse.
Frank Lampard enjoyed the perfect start to his tenure as Everton manager
There will be tougher tests ahead than modest Brentford but it was a very decent start nonetheless, particularly as Lampard could not pick new signings Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek (both Cup-tied) or injured duo Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Lampard embraced the partisan atmosphere, applauding fans before and after the final whistle, and punching the air in delight with every goal.
Everton are safely into the fifth round and can continue to dream of a first trophy since 1995. Of more immediate concern, confidence levels will be significantly raised ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Newcastle in the Premier League, where Everton sit 16th.
Yerry Mina (centre) scored the first goal of the Frank Lampard era as Everton manager
Before Richarlison added a second shortly after the restart with a smart finish
It is hard to believe that only a fortnight ago the blue half of Merseyside was in toxic mood after Benitez’s side had lost at Norwich.
Mina enhanced the feelgood factor, heading in the opener after 31 minutes with Richarlison emphatically adding a second shortly after half-time.
When Brentford pulled a goal back through Ivan Toney’s penalty, the home response was excellent with Holgate and Andros Townsend completing a handsome win.
Brentford are four points ahead of Everton in the table but have now lost their last five games in all competitions.
‘It wasn’t a 4-1 game but we are disappointed to concede twice from set pieces,’ said Bees manager Thomas Frank, who was back in the technical area after Covid.
‘We had flattened the atmosphere a bit but Everton then got a boost with the first couple of goals. I am aware we need to get back to winning games but our next one at Manchester City is relatively difficult!’
The mood among Evertonians was more positive. ‘It was like night and day compared to what Everton produced under Rafa Benitez,’ said the club’s former player Ashley Williams on television.
Lampard, who reached the final in his last FA Cup campaign at Chelsea, received a huge ovation when he was presented to the fans before kick off.
There was a temporary lull when Ben Godfrey limped off after 14 minutes to be replaced by Mina but the game exploded into life after the half-hour mark.
Mason Holgate scored Everton’s third goal and his first since December 2020
Andros Townsend added a fourth for the hosts with a curling effort in injury time
Ivan Toney had brought Brentford back in the game with a second-half penalty
A strike by Andre Gomes was fumbled for a corner by returning Brentford goalkeeper David Raya and Demarai Gray’s delivery from the resulting set-piece was powerfully headed in by Mina, who evaded his marker.
It was the Colombian’s first goal since last year’s fourth-round tie against Sheffield Wednesday
The visitors’ only chance of the first saw Jordan Pickford save sharply from Sergi Canos and things got even worse for them after 48 minutes.
Allan supplied a clever pass to Richarlison, who waited for Raya to advance and comfortably placed the all past him. Lampard jumped into the arms of coach Joe Edwards in glee.
Lampard couldn’t pick new signings Dele Alli and Donny van de Beek as they were both cup-tied, but it didn’t affect Everton’s performances anyway
The mood among Evertonians was more positive after an impressive 4-1 win over Brentford
It could have killed off Brentford but instead they started to raise their game.
The previously quiet Toney left Mina in a heap with a neat swivel and cross. The striker’s next forward run saw him upended in the box by Pickford.
Toney finished the job by slotting home the penalty and then got caught up in a brief scuffle with Pickford as he tried to retrieve the ball quickly to restart.
Brentford have now lost their last five games in all competitions following a dismal run of form
But Bees manager Thomas Frank felt his side didn’t deserve to lose 4-1 at Goodison Park
Everton responded with Anthony Gordon setting up Gray, whose shot was blocked by Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer as it headed for a third goal.
Everton only had seconds to wait, however, as Mina again leapt well to connect with the resulting corner and Holgate steered the ball in with his head.
It was his first goal since December 2020. Local lad Gordon received a standing ovation when he was replaced after 72 minutes.
And it was a day when everything Lampard touched turned to gold as the player introduced, Townsend, added a fourth in injury time with a neat low finish.
In the Gwladys Street End, the songs praising their new manager became even louder.
The only downside on the afternoon for Everton was the injury to Godfrey, one of the better players under Benitez.
He was seen leaving the stadium later on crutches and it leaves Lampard with a decision whether to stick to the 3-4-3 system that served him well yesterday.
As a player, Lampard scored the winner against Everton in the 2009 FA Cup Final. It is fair to say he has been forgiven now, as another member of that Chelsea team, Ashley Cole, also watched on as part of the backroom staff.
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