Frank Lampard masterminds crucial Everton win against 'disgraceful' Manchester United

Frank Lampard has scored against Manchester United in a Champions League final. If his Everton may have inflicted the final blow to ensure United will not return to the European elite next season, he had other considerations.

The best day of his time at Goodison Park ended with Lampard performing fist-pumps in front of the Gwladys Street End, accepting their applause with his captain, Seamus Coleman, to his right, and his match-winner, Anthony Gordon, to his left.

If the spectre of relegation loomed large over Everton after Wednesday’s defeat at Burnley, Lampard has had to field questions about the prospect of the sack. Both he and they require further victories but this felt a remarkable turnaround, a potentially season-defining day. Sean Dyche had motivated Burnley by saying Everton did not know how to win a game. Belatedly, they showed they did. It was a triumph of character.

Yet they were aided by United’s wretchedness. David de Gea delivered the bluntest of verdicts afterwards. “It is a disgrace from us, we should be winning this game,” said the goalkeeper. “They had more desire than us. We are not good enough, that is for sure.”

The interim appointment concurred. Their next manager, probably Erik ten Hag, may have to plot a path through the Europa League or even the Conference League. Ralf Rangnick, whose temporary reign is unravelling after a solitary win in seven games, added: “The players should be eager to play Champions League football but as long as we play like today they don’t deserve it.”

Manchester United's Paul Pogba helps teammate Cristiano Ronaldo get back on his feet at the end of the match. AP

Lacklustre and lacking much else, from effort to quality to incision, their capacity to underachieve