Everton analysis - Frank Lampard unleashes £28m secret weapon as midfield absence speaks volumes

What to do with Alex Iwobi?

Making his first Everton appearance since December against Leeds United - owing to a mixture of AFCON and non-selection - the opening stages were about as Alex Iwobi as it gets.

He found himself in good positions, made clever runs, but failed to deliver an end product.

It is the story of his career at Everton since joining from Arsenal for £28m in 2019.

But Frank Lampard showed faith in the Nigerian - recording 90 minutes in the Premier League for just the third time this season - and by the end of the game there were supporters championing his name for man-of-the-match.

It would have been an award given for pure grit and determination. Iwobi left everything on the field at Goodison Park to ensure three vital points were won. Defeat was not an option and he epitomised that.

So what comes next? Lampard might have arrived at the perfect moment for Iwobi.

He was in desperate need of a fresh start after a difficult opening to the campaign under Rafa Benitez - he registered just two goals and two assists under the Spaniard - but Lampard will have his own ideas of how to best utilise the 25-year-old.

The former Chelsea and England midfielder gushed about the impact of Iwobi after the win against Leeds, saying he has 'demanded' his place with his performance.

Iwobi needed this. With Dele Alli and Anwar El Ghazi arriving in January, plus the stunning progress of Anthony Gordon, he finds himself fighting for a place in the starting line-up.

But he sent an instant message to Lampard that he is willing to do the hard-yards. And the manager likes what he has witnessed.

Lampard has assembled an eye-catching backroom team including Paul Clement and Ashley Cole and they will be hopeful of tapping into the