Goals from Hakim Ziyech, Kurt Zouma and Timo Werner did the damage, while Edouard Mendy kept his fifth consecutive clean sheet as three points were safely secured in Lancashire.

After the game, Lampard reflected on finding balance to the team after switching to a 4-3-3 system and updated on Christian Pulisic, who pulled out of the game after suffering an injury in the warm-up, but he started by assessing the overall day’s work.

‘I thought it was a very complete performance,’ he said. ‘They make it very difficult for you and you know you have to defend your box well, be very strong on first and second boxes. I wanted that to be one focus and the other focus to be how we keep developing on the ball.

‘That’s what really pleased me today - some of the passing and movement in the team from minute one until the end of the game was very good and it feels like a nice step forward.’

Ziyech got a goal and an assist, which drew praise…

‘I expected a lot of him because I was very aware of his qualities - his eye for a pass, receiving, crossing and making assists but what I’ve seen as well since he’s been here is his personality when he plays. He wants the ball, his work-rate off the ball is very good as well and he’s brought those qualities and given us a big boost. Two games in a few days was a test after being out for so long but it’s been a really good start for him.’

The boss was happy with the balance in the side…

‘There was certainly balance there today and we worked on that. Even though we can’t work so much physically at the moment, we talked about it a lot yesterday and on the training ground. That’s part of the process when we’ve brought in new players. When you’re keeping clean sheets and scoring goals, you’re going in the right direction.’

There was also an update on Pulisic…

‘He had a small sensation in his hamstring so we had to pull him out. He couldn’t play after feeling that in the warm-up so we’ll have to scan it. He’s got fit and played three games so obviously he’s frustrated.’

Lampard finished with a word on another clean sheet…

‘The clean sheets are a great sign of a spine in the team. Thiago Silva and Edu Mendy have massively helped that but so has the mentality of the group with the way we’re defending. I’m not going to jump up and down after a win like this but it was a really positive day.’