‘We were always going to be in another battle’ – Everton players booed off pitch after Wolves result as Frank Lampard reminds fans of club’s struggles with Premier League relegation threat looming

Frank Lampard says Everton 'were always going to be in another battle' following their Boxing Day defeat to Wolves.

Fans - the ones who stayed until the end - booed the team off the pitch as relegation becomes closer to reality with the club just one point above the relegation zone thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time winner at Goodison Park in the 2-1 loss.

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Everton had taken the lead in Merseyside through Yerry Mina, only for Daniel Podence to equalise for the visitors in the 22nd minute.

And despite dominating the second half, it was Wolves that struck the final blow after Rayan Ait-Nouri volleyed home deep into injury time.

The boos rang out for Lampard and his players come the full-time whistle, with Everton now losing eight out of their 16 Premier League matches this season.

But Lampard, whose position as manager has been questioned amid his side's bad form, insists that this campaign was always going to be a struggle after Everton narrowly avoided relegation last term.

Speaking to reporters after the disappointing defeat, the Chelsea legend said: "We were always going to be in another battle of some sorts this year because of where we were last year.

"It was a reality, and you lose Richarlison [to Tottenham] who was a big force for us at the top end of the pitch.

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"And we haven't really had Dom [Calvert-Lewin] fit if I'm honest this season, so big players and big things like that will have an effect.

"We have to try and find the right team solution in terms of how we improve the squad.

"But I think the reality was that we were never going to be much different from the fight that we were in, in some form.

"Could we have some more points on the board? Yeah. For certain reasons, for certain games, but we haven't, so we just have to keep going."

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Calvert-Lewin, who is currently on the sidelines with shoulder, hamstring and knee issues, has featured just six times in the top-flight this season, while the club have scored 12 goals in 16 games.

Commenting on how important it is for Everton have the England international back fit soon, Lampard remarked: "Yeah for sure.

"And to try and keep him fit because we see what No9s do for clubs.

"Today we had opportunities to score and maybe on another day a Dominic here can finish those chances and we're all sitting here happy and everyone moves forward."

As for whether Everton are in another battle to stay up, Lampard stated: "We are in one. We have to fight together.

"Last year we were in a really difficult moment and had some beautiful moments staying in the league.

"But it was never going to be big steps straight away, that's not football.

"It was always going to be a fight this year with the way the Premier League is. We just need to dig in."

Everton could now find themselves in the bottom three by the time they go to Manchester City at the weekend after six defeats in the last eight league matches.