Full debutant Donny Van De Beek praised for key role as Everton ease past Leeds

Everton boss Frank Lampard was full of praise for Donny Van De Beek after the midfielder shone on his first start in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Leeds.

Manchester United loanee Van De Beek’s impressive full debut included having a key role in the opening goal headed in by Seamus Coleman in the 10th minute.

Lampard said of the performance produced by the Holland international, who played alongside Allan in a 4-4-2 formation: “I sort of expected that, because I knew Donny as a player from the outside, brought him here because of his talents in terms of he can play, his intelligence, his work ethic, really intelligent and technical player.

“He was part of a really strong work-ethic kind of performance, he matched the other players in that sense, he gave us a sense of calm, he linked the play, looks confident on the ball and that’s exactly what I brought him here to do.”

He added: “I think he can do different roles, and that was the beauty and why I moved so quickly to try to get him when I came in.

“I’m a big admirer of his and I think he can do both roles for us – he played in the double six, or two midfield players (against Leeds) and I know he has the talent to link and get us through the lines with his passing, also the work ethic needed in that role.

“I know he can do higher and he’s a goal threat too.

“That’s one of the big pulls of me bringing him in, knowing he can bring different elements to help us in different ways, and when called upon to do that kind of disciplined role, I thought he did it really, really well.”

The opener came when Van De Beek, having received the ball from Anthony Gordon, delivered a low cross, Dominic Calvert-Lewin slid in with Diego Llorente to meet it and Coleman was on hand to nod in from