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Paul Merson credits Frank Lampard amid major damage to Leeds United survival hopes
Leeds United have been “dragged” squarely back into the relegation mire by Frank Lampard’s Everton according to Paul Merson.
The Toffees defeated their manager’s former side Chelsea 1-0 on Sunday (1 May) to bring them to two points behind United and Burnley in the battle against the drop, but with a game in hand on both.
Sitting in the relegation zone and facing the European champions their prospects looked bleak, but by securing a win while Jesse Marsch’s side were beaten 4-0 by Manchester City, it has ensured a three-way fight for survival.
In his column for the Daily Star Merson said: “Everton were done if they didn’t win that game but now they have dragged Leeds right back into it.
“Credit to Frank Lampard because he does go for it. It was 100 miles per hour with the crowd up for it, lifting the players.”
Sudden
As if Burnley’s incredible resurrection wasn’t enough to deal with, Everton suddenly appear to have developed a new fight.
After the 3-0 win over Watford a month ago (6 April) the previous danger appeared to have all but evaporated.
But the tables have turned so quickly that following last weekend’s slate of results the Super Computer at FiveThirtyEight was projecting the Whites as favourites to join Norwich and Watford in the Championship.
Before the heavy loss to the league-leaders, which is a possibility for any side which faces them, the form under Marsch was strong.
But with the Claret’s form improbably even stronger, and Lampard’s men benefiting from games in hand, it is now impossible to relax.
With Arsenal and Chelsea next up there is a definite possibility that the club could find themselves in the drop zone before long.
Thomas Tuchel’s team has only won once in four, and that was to scrape a last-gasp 1-0 over a weakened West Ham side, so fans will have to hope the team can emulate old adversary Lampard in forcing a shock win out of the Stamford Bridge side.
In other Leeds United news, a Whites star has broken his silence over the increasing transfer speculation.