Long way to go, admits Lampard
Frank Lampard said Chelsea's capitulation to lose 3-2 at relegation threatened West Ham on Wednesday is a sign of how much work he still has to do to make the Blues title contenders once more. A 10th league defeat of the season leaves Chelsea just two points clear of Manchester United and Wolves in the race for a place in the top four.
"I wouldn't say it is the story of our season because it's been a good season, but there have been so many of these moments," said Lampard. "The players in those moments have to show an extra mentality to see a game through like this when you have a lot of domination."
After a 2-1 victory over Manchester City last week that sealed the title for Liverpool and the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, Chelsea have been touted as title contenders to City and Liverpool next season. However, Lampard believes his side have to be far more consistent than they have shown during his first season in charge.
"I've seen us play great games, but I also have seen opportunities to close a gap or move into third wasted. That's the difference at the minute and shows how much work we've got to do."
Just a second win in 12 games takes David Moyes's men up to 16th, three points clear of the relegation zone. West Ham's win was the first for any side in the bottom five in 30 games since the Premier League's restart.
"We'd be lying if we said we weren't looking at the results (of the other sides)," added Moyes. "I didn't think we had been as bad as our results suggested."
The controversial VAR call came at 0-0 when Antonio was adjudged to be interfering with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's line of vision from an offside position on the floor when Soucek swept the ball home from a corner.
"I really dislike VAR," said Antonio. "It's gone against us so many times. Today it didn't stop us, we keep going and we got the victory."
Moments later it got even worse for the hosts as Christian Pulisic was chopped down by Issa Diop and Willian confidently dispatched the spot-kick.