Frank Lampard has brushed off suggestions that Everton's off-the-field issues played their part in their 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Saturday.
Lampard has come under increasing pressure at Goodison Park with the Toffees having dropped into the Premier League relegation zone ahead of their fixture with bottom-club Southampton.
However, in the hours before kickoff, attention turned to a statement made by the Everton hierarchy, who said that they have been advised against attending the game due to a security threat amid the tension in the stands and protests against their leadership which were expected.
At one stage, it appeared that Lampard would deliver a extremely-welcome three points with Amadou Onana putting Everton into the lead.
Two goals from James Ward-Prowse changed that, however, with the midfielder curling in yet another sublime free kick to earn the Saints their third win in succession.
Although the triumph for the South-coast outfit was not enough to move them away from last spot, they now sit level on points with Everton, who dropped to 19th position.
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After the game, Lampard acknowledged the disappointment which accompanied the latest setback, hinting that he rued his side's perceived bad luck and the brilliance of Ward-Prowse.
Speaking to Match of the Day, Lampard said: "It's obviously difficult and disappointing, especially when you go 1-0 up. It's a tough game, there's a lot of tension for both teams I think. We deserved to be 1-0 in the first half with the passion in our game.
"It wasn't a tactical game, it was more of a fighting game. We showed spirit and then an early goal in the second half changes the tone of the game. We came back, created some things, we hit the bar but then, typically at the moment, we concede a free kick and it goes in our net.
"Obviously, it's disappointing. It was a big game for us and we lost."
When pushed on the subject of security issues and protests, the Englishman insisted that they were not to blame for his team losing on Saturday.
Lampard added: "No, I'm completely focused on what we're doing on the pitch. The off-field noise is there but the things we can control as staff and players is on the pitch - and today we got beaten."
Everton are next in action against West Ham United on January 21 in a game where it is plausible that the loser may opt for a change in manager, with the Hammers sitting in 18th after also only collecting one point from six fixtures.
Darren Plant
