Everton boss Frank Lampard was happy with James Tarkowski's performance in defeat to Arsenal.

The Blues lost the preseason encounter in Baltimore 2-0.

Tarkowski, who completed a free transfer move from Burnley at the beginning of this month, produced a number of blocks and tackles, and evidently relished the combat in a game that grew fractious towards the final whistle.

“I am a big fan of James, I have been since before I was Everton manager," said Lampard to evertontv.

“I thought he was a player of a really high level in everything and he's not disappointed me, with his personality and leadership skills and strength and quality on the ball.

“He is a defender who can do both sides of the game and I am delighted with his debut and expecting really good things from him.

“I wasn't so worried about he result, you always want to win but we were competitive, there was nothing I didn't like about the players in terms of their application.

“It was a set-piece and not a nice goal to concede [Jesus' opener].

“But Arsenal put out pretty much a full-strength team and are in a different phase from us at the moment. That will level out.

“The process is important, there was a lot for me to see and think about going forward."