Frank Lampard says improving Everton’s “consistency, crispness and decision-making” will be a key in closing the gap on teams of Tottenham Hotspur’s quality after the Blues’ 2-0 defeat in north London on Saturday.

A 59^th-minute Harry Kane penalty and a deflected Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg goal late on proved the difference as Spurs recorded an eighth straight home Premier League win.

Everton delivered an encouraging first-half performance and twice went close to taking the lead, with Demarai Gray and Amadou Onana shooting over after fast breaks.

Lampard admitted the Blues did not sustain their levels in the second half, however, as he outlined the main areas the team can improve.

He said: “The shape of the team was good, the defensive discipline was good. We didn’t give Spurs the spaces they wanted.

“We had two good chances, and you have to take those chances because they change the feeling of the game.

“There's no doubt we came out in the second half slightly off it and allowed them to have some momentum.

“The penalty is the difference in the game. I thought until then everything we were doing was good.

“Generally, throughout the team, I think there are small differences that make Tottenham where they are and us where we are.

“They're in the Champions League and we're trying to move up the table. Maybe there are some signs for me as a coach and as a team for where we can improve.

“That’s the work now [for us to do] – can we find consistency, be a little bit crisper and make better decisions?

“Maybe those things come with time, but we have to get ready for a game on Wednesday.”

Everton started the game with a three-man central defence - consisting of James Tarkwoski, Conor Coady and Vitalii Mykolenko – with Dwight McNeil and Seamus Coleman operating at left and right wing-back respectively.

Lampard said he was happy with how the system worked and believes the game could have had a different outcome had the Blues been able to convert one of their first-half chances.

“Dwight played mainly as a wing-back with the opportunity to go further forward,” he said.

“I thought the balance, with Seamus on the other side, felt good in the first half. I thought we did the job well, with good application.

“If we take one of those chances, we probably don't lose tonight.

“I think if we score, that gives us the confidence at half-time to continue with the game plan…then Tottenham have to open up and the fans can get agitated.

“The opportunities were a huge factor in the game, because other elements in the match between the sides were quite tight.”