By Neil Moxley ‘Counter-attacking nearly beat Reds... so let’s try it again’

EXCLUSIVE

LEON OSMAN believes today’s Goodison Park clash could be the ideal opportunity to spark Everton’s survival bid.

The former Toffees midfielder is feeling confident Frank Lampard can plot a route to safety despite last week’s 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby.

Osman maintains Lampard’s men will need to show the same drive and determination that saw the Blues keep Liverpool in check for more than an hour at Anfield.

And if they can reproduce that against Thomas Tuchel’s side – and follow a similar plan – that could lay the foundations for survival.

Osman (right) said: “The performance against Liverpool gave me hope going into the Chelsea game that there’s the possibility they can get something out of it, and that they can win it.

“What the team showed at Anfield was that they could stick together and could follow a system. The plan to play on the counter was a good one. Barring a player’s decision here and there – or might I even say a refereeing call – Everton could well have gone ahead in that game and who knows what might have happened.

“Every player was on the same page. They followed the plan.

They executed it really well.

“All right, it wasn’t pretty.

But they left every bit of energy out there and if they do the same against Chelsea, I can see them winning.

“I thought it was an impressive performance at Anfield in that context, despite the defeat. If Everton can perform like that, defend like that and are a team unit like that and just make that crucial right decision in the final third, I can see them surprising people.

“And a victory against Chelsea could be key. Suddenly the whole outlook is different.

“The points needed to get yourself out of the relegation zone doesn’t look as great, obviously. The gap to the teams ahead isn’t as big and you’ve got winnable games coming up.”

Osman says the collective force from

the stands at Goodison Park, that was such a help during the victory over Manchester United, needs to be repeated.

And he admits even though the situation is tense for every Evertonian, becoming impatient will not help Lampard’s side over the line.

Osman added: “The time to look at what’s gone on isn’t now, it’s at the end of the season. And until then, the help, patience and understanding of the supporters is going to be vital.

“Evertonians are clever enough to know that the team needs their support and that it needs to be constant throughout the game.

“Lampard continues to be positive. He continues to try and let that positivity seep through the team and that can only be a good thing. If the players knuckle down, stick together and give what they’ve got, the support will be there.

“The fans will be 100 percent behind the team. And when any club has that, wonderful things can happen.”

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