FRANK LAMPARD has lifted the lid on his decision to substitute Scotland star Nathan Patterson at half-time during Everton's win over Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.

It was Patterson's first appearance for the Toffes since arriving from Rangers in the summer in a deal believed to be worth around £16million.

The 20-year-old was deployed in a right-wing-back role, as Lampard played three centre-backs.

However, while it was great for the ex-Gers youngster to finally get his debut for the Premier League club, it didn't go totally to plan, as he was subbed off at the break. Richarlison came off the bench with the game goalless.

A second-half double from Salomon Rondon saw the Goodison Park side into the next round.

And Lampard stood by his decision to haul off the Scotland cap following the game.

Lampard told the Everton FC website: "We played too slow first half. Boreham Wood came here with an idea to stop up playing, and if you play slow they can stop it.

"I didn't enjoy that, but a good little viewing for me to see those things and change at half-time

"Generally the whole team had a different tempo in the second half and were comfortable in the second half.

"(We wanted) an extra player up the pitch who could give them problems, receive the ball and cause them problems.

"It wasn't necessarily a slam on Nathan Patterson, it's not a nice on a debut; I thought he did ok.

"But from the way we were playing with our wing-backs I wanted him to break that line and he wasn't, it allowed them to sit back, so the formation change helped us."