Frank Lampard says there are "levels to come" from his Everton side, insisting they can be unlocked via hard work on the training pitch and consistency in matches.

The Blues battled back from a goal down to win 2-1 at Southampton over the weekend, extending their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions. 

Lampard's side were good value for their victory on the south coast - but, speaking to evertontv afterwards, the boss insisted there is still work to be done to achieve the full potential of his new-look side.

"The character is there, the spirit is there and the next thing is being consistent with that," said Lampard.

"We're building, that's for sure. From where we came from... for the size of this club, with the history of it, the fanbase and the passion - we can't be settling for what happened last year. I came into that and the lads fought brilliantly. The spirit of the whole club came together. 

"Now it's about what comes next. 

"We want to get back up in the table. It's something that's so easy to say and difficult to do. 

"We've shown a little bit now with back-to-back wins and we have absolutely have to stay on it. 

"It was a tough game for us in ways. Anthony was not well and could only make the bench, Amadou wasn't well but was able to play and was pivotal in moments while struggling, Seamus came in for the first time this season. From our point of view, to get three points in that situation, it's a big deal.

"We have to enjoy the moment and keep it going."

Asked whether recording back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign was a significant step, Lampard said: "At the moment, yes, because it's changed the face of the table in the short-term and that's what we wanted. 

"It gives confidence to everybody and a good feeling, but the reality is there is a long way to go and a lot of work still to do. 

"We've got a tough run of games coming up but breeding that confidence helps and so does seeing the fans - their reaction and the bond between us that is growing. 

"We can all feel that. So now it's a case of, 'Can we go to the next levels?' There are levels to come out of these players and when I say that I don't just mean the starting 11 because there is good competition in the squad now. It's good at the moment. 

"The lads deserve a little rest, some of them have been away on international duty and the others have been working hard with us. We have to go again for Manchester United."

The Toffees now boast the best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded on just seven occasions from their opening eight matches.

"It's important because there wasn't that feeling here last year," Lampard explained. "We came here - specifically here - in my early days and we went 2-0 down and that was game done. 

"Now we've got a stronger spine and feeling of spirit and character in the team. 

"We're playing better but we still made mistakes. We made mistakes in possession that I'm quite critical of and it didn't please me - we have to be better on the ball and, clearly, I can see we can be even better. 

"We just need to reflect on these games, work on the training pitch and build through the team. 

"I firmly believe we can get better."

The boss also reserved praise for captain Seamus Coleman, who was handed his first league start of the season against the Saints after Nathan Patterson sustained an ankle injury while on international duty with Scotland.

The Premier League's current longest-serving player at a single club, Coleman made his 385th Everton appearance at St Mary's - but they were his first top-flight minutes of the 2022/23 campaign.

"It's not easy doing what Seamus did," added Lampard. "I'm not patronising him or putting him down at all but where he is at in terms of the stage of his career and to have a tough injury through the summer, have an operation, to not play games, then to be thrown into the Premier League is really difficult. 

"I thought he was brilliant. 

"His character is always brilliant and he'll be much the better for getting those minutes in the bank now. 

"He'll have a little bit of a rest then go again for next week because, of course, we need him. 

"I had no doubts or worries about Seamus as a player or as a person, because he'll come in and perform and he did that."