Frank Lampard not blaming Mendy for Everton loss

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard refused to lay the blame of their first defeat in 18 matches at the feet of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy after his error led to Everton’s match-winning penalty.

The Senegal international clumsily brought down Dominic Calvert-Lewin which allowed Gylfi Sigurdsson to score the decisive 22nd-minute spot-kick and inflict the club’s third successive loss at Goodison Park.

It was his second mistake in two games as his error also led to a goal against Leeds last week but there were failings elsewhere with just 10 shots attempted in the game and not one on target after the 28th minute.

“He has been fantastic since he has been here and I don’t think it was just clearly his mistake,” said Lampard after coming off second-best against his former Chelsea manager.

“The mentality of the team to deal with second balls in the early part of the game was not good.

“This was a team that was well organised and who wanted to stop us playing and when you give them that head start it is difficult.

“I don’t think we necessarily deserved to lose the game but if we are honest it was not the ‘us’ of recently.

“I think we could have got something out of the game, I wouldn’t say we were unlucky but I don’t think we were at our best tonight.

“We have been on a really good run and we knew what was coming with Everton physically and we didn’t handle that well. We didn’t show enough to break them down.”