Frank Lampard is on the brink of being sacked by Everton #EFC

IN DANGER 

Frank Lampard on brink of sack as Everton fans turn on players and board after 4-1 humiliation at home to Brighton

Frank Lampard is on the verge of being sacked as Everton manager, talkSPORT understands.

The legendary midfielder watched his Toffees side thumped 4-1 by Brighton at home then booed off the pitch by fans.

Supporters also turned on the club’s hierarchy with chants of ‘sack the board’ after another humiliating night at Goodison Park.

Owner Farhad Moshiri has sacked five managers in almost seven years since becoming the majority shareholder, and Lampard now has a win ratio lower than the man he replaced – the hugely unpopular Rafael Benitez.

Lampard may not reach his one-year anniversary at Goodison with the Toffees continuing their slide down the Premier League table.

Demarai Gray’s consolation goal from the penalty spot in added-time only sparked more chants from angry home supporters, after a catastrophic seven-minute spell at the start of the second half in which they conceded three soft goals.

Kaoru Mitoma struck an early opener for Brighton before that rapid trio from Evan Ferguson, Solly March and Pascal Gross, which lifted the Seagulls into eighth in the league under Roberto De Zerbi who took over from Graham Potter in September.

Many expected Brighton to fall away following Potter’s exit to Chelsea, but they looked organised and effective against Everton.

For the Merseyside club, it’s been the opposite story. Lampard’s appointment was hailed as a big step forward in their pursuit of getting back to Europe, but it has not worked out for the Blues who currently sit in 16th and only one point above the relegation zone.

Lampard, who did not emerge from the dressing room area for his media interviews until more than 45 minutes after the final whistle, was asked whether he feared for his job after just one win and seven defeats in the last ten Premier League matches.

The former Chelsea midfielder insisted he didn’t, but it’s understood the Stamford Bridge hero is close to getting the axe after yet another bleak performance from his side.

“Since I’ve been here we’ve been in this situation of fighting relegation,” he said after the Brighton defeat.

“It’s not a case of fear, I can’t control the talk or the decision when you are around this area of the table. When you lose a game like this I absolutely understand any reaction.

“I am very confident in myself and will work to turn it around. The only concern you can have is the work you do the next day. I arrived in a relegation battle and you have to focus on going again.”

On his players being booed, he added: “It’s difficult, you have to understand human nature at that time. It is what it is.”

Lampard’s Everton spell has not gone the way he or the club expected when he was appointed.

It was a night to forget for Everton as they were crushed by the Seagulls.