Frank Lampard has promised to send Mason Mount a message of thanks after he boosted Everton’s Premier League survival hopes by helping Chelsea beat Leeds United.
Mount produced a superb display at Elland Road on Wednesday, scoring and making an assist as the Blues sealed a 3-0 win to pile the misery on Jesse Marsch’s side.
While Chelsea were focused on moving a step closer to Champions League qualification, their win certainly helped former manager Lampard, who is trying to prevent Everton from being relegated to the Championship.
With Norwich and Watford already down, Leeds are in the final relegation spot but could still catch 17th-placed Burnley and 16th-placed Everton with two games left.
Speaking after Everton’s draw with Watford, Lampard was asked about Chelsea’s win over Leeds and told beIN SPORTS: ‘It was useful, it was.
‘I’ll send him [Mason Mount] a message later of thanks. Those things are out of your hands but Mason’s a fantastic player and I’m pleased for him that he’s getting those numbers because he is a player of such a high level and those numbers reflect it.
‘It’s brilliant for him and Chelsea did us a favour getting that result, but we have to make sure we do our own thing to get this over the line.’
Mount thrived under Lampard during a loan spell at Derby County and was an important member of the manager’s squad during his time in charge of Chelsea.
Lampard added: ‘There is work to be done but if you look at our recent results we have put ourselves in a decent position.
‘There were not enough clear chances. But if you are not at your best you need to make sure you pick up a point. That is not something we’ve done often enough this season.
‘Watford had players playing with something to lose. They had nothing on the game and sometimes that can be difficult to come against. They gave us a game.’
Chelsea boss Tuchel, meanwhile, praised his side’s display against ten-man Leeds and was pleased with their reaction after conceding a 97th-minute equaliser in their last game against Wolves.
‘We were very focused,’ he said. ‘Even against 11 players we were clearly the better team,’ Tuchel said. ‘I felt the team were very committed, focused and calm. I had a good feeling.
‘I was happy with how we played and how the players reacted after Saturday’s late equaliser. We trusted ourselves but it was necessary to clear the air and refocus.
‘The level of discipline and coverage in the defensive approach, we were more careful than the last game. We took care that we have a clean sheet.’
