Everton's false dawn leaves Frank Lampard struggling for answers

There was always a unique feel to events at Goodison Park last Thursday. Many teams search for a repeatable formula for winning games. It rarely involves a long delay when a protester cuffs themselves to a goalpost, being reduced to 10 men, and then getting a 99th-minute winner from Alex Iwobi.

If much of that was never likely to happen again at Selhurst Park on Sunday, Everton at least finished with a full complement of players; numerically anyway.

Frank Lampard accused them of playing at “70 per cent throughout". They lost 4-0 to Crystal Palace and exited the FA Cup ignominiously. Their supporters’ 27 Campaign was formed when their trophy drought only actually extended to 26 years. Pessimism proved justified: there will be no silverware in the 27th. More worryingly, a 68-year stay in the top flight may end.

The last few days seem Everton’s season in microcosm. One step forward, in beating Newcastle, was followed by several steps back.

Like the start of Rafa Benitez’s reign, it may prove another false dawn, rather than the springboard to safety Everton needed.

A second manager was left struggling to find answers. In his brief reign, Lampard has changed system and personnel but had generally been supportive in his comments. This time, putting it politely, he questioned his players’ mentality. He is not alone in doing so.

If some would accuse Lampard of deflecting blame for failure, the underachievement of Everton’s expensively-assembled, badly-compiled squad is a recurring theme. A battle against relegation could be determined by old-fashioned qualities, some of which they can lack.

CRYSTAL PALACE RATINGS: Jack Butland – 7 Despite a lively start for Everton, had little to do thanks to his players and was equal to an