Lampard brace fires Chelsea
Source: Agencies |
March 9, 2011, Wednesday
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GOLDEN oldies Frank Lampard and John Terry inspired Chelsea to a 3-1 win at Blackpool on Monday to keep alive the club's outside hopes of retaining its Premier League crown.
Skipper Terry, 30, opened the scoring with a first-half header before vice-captain Lampard, 32, ended relegation-threatened Blackpool's resistance with two goals in the second period, one a penalty.
Jason Puncheon, who hit the post for the home team in the first half, pulled a goal back with four minutes to go when he drilled a low left-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Chelsea is fourth in the table with 51 points from 28 matches. It is nine points behind Manchester United, which lost at Liverpool on Sunday, but has a game in hand and visits the Old Trafford side later in the season.
"I don't think we were at our best today. At times we were a bit sloppy but luckily with a bit of quality up front we won it," Lampard said.
As for Chelsea's title ambitions, Lampard added: "You have to believe. It's a long shot ... but if we go and win every game we can still do it".
The Londoners' long trip to the north-west coast was anything but a pleasant evening by the seaside early on as Premier League paupers Blackpool hustled and bustled the multi-millionaires of Chelsea out of its stride.
Terry put the champion in front when he nodded home Lampard's right-wing corner in the 20th minute but the visitors were generally toothless in attack.
New signing Fernando Torres hardly featured and strike partner Didier Drogba's touch was poor.
Torres lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and is yet to score in five matches since moving from Liverpool in a 50 million pound transfer.
"I am happy as he is working hard, supporting the team defensively and he has very good behavior on the pitch," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said of Torres.
Drogba was forced off early in the second half after hurting his hip and compatriot Salomon Kalou came on as a substitute to revitalize Chelsea's fortunes.
Kalou was brought down in the penalty area by Blackpool defender Ian Evatt in the 63rd minute and Lampard calmly stroked the spot kick past Richard Kingson.
Three minutes later Kalou produced some clever footwork before sending Lampard racing clear to sidefoot Chelsea's third goal.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was critical of referee Mike Dean's decision to award the penalty.
"I think that was key, particularly when Lampard is going to take it as he normally scores," Holloway said. "He (Kalou) couldn't wait to go down, and we were a bit naive and the ref couldn't wait to give it. In the Championship that may not have been given."
Skipper Terry, 30, opened the scoring with a first-half header before vice-captain Lampard, 32, ended relegation-threatened Blackpool's resistance with two goals in the second period, one a penalty.
Jason Puncheon, who hit the post for the home team in the first half, pulled a goal back with four minutes to go when he drilled a low left-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Chelsea is fourth in the table with 51 points from 28 matches. It is nine points behind Manchester United, which lost at Liverpool on Sunday, but has a game in hand and visits the Old Trafford side later in the season.
"I don't think we were at our best today. At times we were a bit sloppy but luckily with a bit of quality up front we won it," Lampard said.
As for Chelsea's title ambitions, Lampard added: "You have to believe. It's a long shot ... but if we go and win every game we can still do it".
The Londoners' long trip to the north-west coast was anything but a pleasant evening by the seaside early on as Premier League paupers Blackpool hustled and bustled the multi-millionaires of Chelsea out of its stride.
Terry put the champion in front when he nodded home Lampard's right-wing corner in the 20th minute but the visitors were generally toothless in attack.
New signing Fernando Torres hardly featured and strike partner Didier Drogba's touch was poor.
Torres lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and is yet to score in five matches since moving from Liverpool in a 50 million pound transfer.
"I am happy as he is working hard, supporting the team defensively and he has very good behavior on the pitch," Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said of Torres.
Drogba was forced off early in the second half after hurting his hip and compatriot Salomon Kalou came on as a substitute to revitalize Chelsea's fortunes.
Kalou was brought down in the penalty area by Blackpool defender Ian Evatt in the 63rd minute and Lampard calmly stroked the spot kick past Richard Kingson.
Three minutes later Kalou produced some clever footwork before sending Lampard racing clear to sidefoot Chelsea's third goal.
Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was critical of referee Mike Dean's decision to award the penalty.
"I think that was key, particularly when Lampard is going to take it as he normally scores," Holloway said. "He (Kalou) couldn't wait to go down, and we were a bit naive and the ref couldn't wait to give it. In the Championship that may not have been given."
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