'Everton Are Eager To Build On Man Utd Result'
- Everton host Leicester City at Goodison Park on Wednesday (7:45pm BST kick-off)
- Adam Jones from the Liverpool Echo has previewed the clash for LCFC Radio
- The Toffees are looking to avoid relegation from the Premier League for the first time
- Live coverage of the game on Merseyside will be available on LCFC Radio
The Toffees need points to pull away from the relegation picture in the Premier League with Frank Lampard's men currently sat three clear of manager-less Burnley, who occupy 18th place. Wednesday's clash with the Foxes begins a crucial run-in for the Merseyside outfit, involving Liverpool (A), Chelsea (H), Leicester (A), Watford (A), Brentford (H), Crystal Palace (H) and Arsenal (A).
Everton hold the worst away record in the league, with just one victory in 15 outings, but they have fared better at Goodison Park, winning seven from 15. Their last fixture at home, on the other hand, saw them overcome Manchester United courtesy of Anthony Gordon's first-half goal on 9 April.
"I can imagine it’ll be a really good atmosphere," Jones told LCFC Radio's Matchday Live show ahead of City's visit to Merseyside. "I’ve been looking back at Everton’s results this season and this is only the second time that Everton are coming into a home game off the back of another win.
"I think there’s only one other time this season when Everton have been able to get back-to-back wins, which shows how really disappointing this season has been. For the fans especially, it’s been so tricky because it’s just been so up and down.
"It’s either right up there for Everton, or it’s been right down at the bottom. It’s just been a roller-coaster of emotions to go through. Managing to get a result against Manchester United, albeit a lacklustre Manchester United, that was such a rousing result against a side like that.
"At Goodison Park now, under the lights, I’m sure Leicester fans will know that can it can be an intimidating atmosphere when the Evertonians are up for it. I think the atmosphere’s going to be really strong and that’s something Frank Lampard has managed to buy into straight away.
"That’s probably been one of the key attributes of his time so far, he understands the fanbase. He knows what they want to see. He knows what they expect from his Everton side. He doesn’t shy away from telling the players and the fans exactly what they need to hear.
"If Everton can start the game well, it could be a really interesting match. The away form at the moment is the worst record in the Premier League. It’s really hard to put your finger on what’s really been different in how the side’s been playing.
"After that victory over Manchester United, even though Everton do have a couple of home fixtures coming up against the likes of Leicester, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, there’s a feeling that Everton can get results against those teams.
"All things considered, that was probably the worst Manchester United performance I’ve seen at Goodison in a long, long time, but Everton still needed to take advantage of that and force them into playing as badly as they did.
"There is a belief that Everton can do that against these sorts of teams when they get them on their home turf. They played very well against Manchester City a couple of months ago too. They really shouldn’t have got beat that day.
"It was only a VAR decision that denied them at least getting a point in that game. Despite the fact that Everton do have some tough games on the horizon, they might be able to get some points out of those matches. Even picking up draws in some of those games could be absolutely key."
Jones believes, despite results, that certain individuals are beginning to show the form which could keep Everton up. Picking out three players for City to be wary of, he selected Richarlison, Gordon and Alex Iwobi. That trio have impressed over recent weeks for Lampard's men.
"The one that sticks out to me is Richarlison," Jones added. "He was the man who scored both goals in that Burnley game, albeit from the penalty spot, but especially in the first half, he was absolutely unplayable. When he’s in that mood, there’s nobody quite like him in the Everton squad.
"He’s got a combination of all the qualities that Evertonians want to see. He’s a very big presence. He’s quite intimidating physically. He’s powerful, but he’s got all the skills that you would usually equate to a Brazilian forward. He’s got all of that. He can pull a goal completely thin air if he wants to.
"There’s few Everton players who are able to do that and he's got tonnes of work-rate as well. If Everton are going to turn things around, he could be key. Anthony Gordon as well, he’s really stepped up over the last few months and he’s another one whose work-rate has been absolutely phenomenal.
"One player I would suggest as well is Alex Iwobi. I think he’s moved now into a more central position. He looks like a completely different player under Frank Lampard. He looks fitter than I’ve ever seen him since he joined Everton. This is probably his most consistent form.
"He's putting in all of the hard yards. He’s got an eye for a pass that nobody else in the Everton squad has got, especially in terms of threading through balls which can split defences wide open.
"If a combination of that trio can really hit the ground running from now until the end of the season, that could certainly be key for Everton."
Lampard and his coaching staff have been working hard to maintain the positivity created by that victory over Manchester United. That could be crucial for their survival chances, Jones believes. The Toffees haven't played over a near-fortnight spell during which City have contested matches against Crystal Palace, PSV Eindhoven and Newcastle United.
On the mood at Everton, Jones continued: "It’s been really interesting to be honest. Especially leading up until that Manchester United game, having had that really disappointing defeat to Burnley, after being in front, losing that game against a rival in the table really did feel like it was going to turn.
"I think that exemplified how crucial it was for Everton to pick up that win over Manchester United. Frank Lampard has been talking about that game and he said it wasn’t the best performance his side has put in since he’s been there, but it was exactly what they needed.
"The crowd really galvanised them and got behind them. A lot of the focus over the last 10 days or so behind the scenes has been on keeping that positive attitude going in terms of the squad, but also the fanbase as well.
"At the end of the day, these home games are going to be crucial for Everton, if they’re going to be staying up, so they’re trying to keep a positive momentum and energy around the place. After what’s been such a disappointing season, anything to latch onto will be really key.
"The mood’s probably as good as I can remember it for a little while, which I suppose is nice, all things considered."