Everton manager Frank Lampard says Sunday's win over Blackpool was a 'step forward' for the club.
The Toffees suffered a shocking tour of America, losing against Minnesota United and Arsenal with zero goals scored and six conceded.
Asked if it was a result and performance that Everton needed, Lampard told the club's website: "Yes, off the back of the results in America.
"Pre-season is a tough one, you can feel like you can work really hard and well on the training pitch but it doesn't always come together in games, particularly games when other teams are ahead of you – Arsenal and Minnesota were fitness-wise.
"It's no excuse. The Minnesota game, particularly, we didn't like and I wanted a reaction. We got it, in performance, for sure, and the result and it's a nice step forward.
"There's a lot to do but the season is starting very quickly so I was happy with a lot of things but there is room for a lot of improvement still."
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