The five major Everton changes Frank Lampard has already made from Rafa Benitez’s woeful period as manager

Frank Lampard got off to the dream start as Everton manager.

The Toffees strutted their stuff to deliver a 4-1 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Brentford at Goodison Park on Saturday.

There was a palpable atmosphere around the stadium ahead of kick-off, with supporters aplenty excited about the appointment of Lampard.

Certainly, by the end of Rafa Benitez’s uninspiring five-and-a-half-month spell, they’d grown frustrated and apathetic.

Lampard made several key changes from Benitez’s previous set-up that yielded an impressive display.

We take a look at them.

Playing through the thirds

In the fourth minute, Jordan Pickford came under pressure with the ball at his feet.

One crisp passing move later, with Andre Gomes, Vitaliy Mykolenko and then Allan setting Richarlison free, Everton were deep into enemy territory.

It was a composed passage of play from Everton which stems from Lampard's managerial mantra.

During training footage earlier in the week, the new boss told his players to want and be comfortable with the ball at their feet.

That was in abundance during his maiden game.

Even the likes of Michael Keane, not renowned for his ability in possession, was picking passes with relative ease.

Gomez was a particular benefactor of the change of identity from Benitez's direct approach.

The Portuguese has never been the same player since the serious ankle injury he suffered in November 2019.

Yet Gomes' display left fans purring at the final whistle. His dribbling prowess came to the fore and was voted man of the match on the club's website.

There' are now hopes the former Barcelona midfielder can recapture his previous heights under Lampard.

When Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli are available, you can only think that further improvements on the ball are going to be made.

First goal scored

It was an aspect of Benitez's reign that incensed supporters.

Despite him liking to talk about how he was encouraged by the fight Everton displayed in games, usually after defeats, it was mainly because of one thing.

In no less than 17 of the 22 matches Benitez oversaw, the Toffees conceded the first goal. It was hardly any wonder why they jettisoned down the table to 16th and fears of relegation intensified.

In truth, it was because Everton started games on the back foot. It's difficult to remember one clash under the ex-Napoli chief when his team opened up aggressively and put pressure on the opponent.

That's why Lampard ensured the Blues did. Within two minutes, the crowd were on their feet as Richarlison and Allan drove at the Brentford rearguard with purpose.

When Mina sent a bullet header home in the 30th minute, it was nothing more than Everton deserved.

It was indeed a rarity to see the home side bag the breakthrough. It probably even startled a couple inside Goodison.

The first goal in football is crucial. It's something Everton need to start delivering frequently to climb the Premier League standings.

Set-piece improvements

Another facet of Benitez's game that Evertonians consistently rued was their failures at set-pieces.

Despite the Spaniard being renowned for his organisation acumen, defending from dead-ball situations was haphazard.

The goal conceded within the first minute against Championship Hull was the nadir. Shipping from a corner or free-kick became expected on a match day.

However, Brentford scarcely threatened when they were awarded such situations.

The Bees had six corners throughout the game but Everton confidently defended each one.

That was mainly down to Lampard switching to man-to-man marking from Benitez's much-maligned zonal system.

And from their own set-pieces, the Toffees were ruthless. They only had four corners yet netted twice, with Mina and Mason Holgate doing the damage.

High wing-backs

The decision from Benitez to play a wing-back system baffled fans against Brighton last month.

For that game, which ended a 3-2 loss, Seamus Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny were deployed on the flanks.

Instead of threatening going forward, though, they dropped deep and Everton's defence effectively became a flat back five.

At home against a mid-table side, no wonder supporters couldn't comprehend. Brighton could smell blood and took full advantage.

That's why there was some scepticism before kick-off when Lampard named his side. Wing-backs hadn't worked previously and fears were it wouldn't again.

But the way the new incumbent set his team despite the same formation was starkly contrasting. Coleman kept as high as possible when Everton were in possession, with his remit to join in with attacks. Vitaliy Mykolenko on the left-back was similar.

And the tactic also freed up an extra man in defence to drive out with the ball.

There was one penetrative foray from Ben Godfrey before he limped off with a hamstring injury in the first half.

Meanwhile, Holgate - who was faultless throughout - got forward whenever granted the opportunity.

Inverted wingers

With Coleman and Mykolenko keeping the width, Lampard shifted the roles of Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon.

Both this season have operated chiefly as traditional wingers with the task of getting crosses into the box.

However, Gray rarely found himself in wide positions against Brentford. It was centrally where he roamed the most, having been handed the licence to entertain and be the playmaker.

Gordon perhaps drifted out to the right a little more than Gray but there were several occasions when they linked up within the middle channel.

The element of surprise caught Brentford off guard.

What's more, the tireless work-rate of Richarlison up front gave the visiting defence little breathing space and they never looked comfortable.