FRANK LAMPARD has always had a
knack for scoring on the big
occasion, for making his mark at
just the right moment. He was at it
again yesterday.
A trademark run into the penalty
area, an almost instinctive drift
into space and there he was,
leaping to nod Eden Hazard’s lovely
chip over Jussi Jaaskelainen into
the net.
Typical Lampard. A moment we
have seen so often over the 18
years of his career.
This though was history. His 200th
goal for Chelsea, making him the
second-highest scorer in the club’s
history. Two behind Bobby
Tambling, a mark that he will
surely pass in the last nine weeks
of the season.
Lampard, 34, still in talks with the
club about a new deal though
looking likelier now to be playing
his football in the USA at LA Galaxy
next year, said: “It is one of my
best days. Obviously, winning the
Champions League and league titles
are the best, but personally getting
200 goals for the club, I never
thought I would touch that so I am
pleased.
“Everyone keeps talking about the
record. I would rather people kept
quiet. The important thing is trying
to win games.”
Especially pleasing must have been
the fact the goal came against his
old club, whose fans have
mercilessly baited him since he left
Upton Park for Chelsea in 2001.
But it was team-mate and
substitute John Terry who the
Hammers fans were mainly abusing
yesterday, as he warmed up in
front of them.
When Lampard instinctively went
over to Terry to celebrate as if in
support, a hail of coins and bottles
showered them.
Chelsea could be in trouble if
fourth official Howard Webb
reports the incident. But it was not
a moment that was going to
overshadow Lampard’s big day, or
for that matter, a superb
performance from Hazard, which
inspired Chelsea to a comfortable
victory in a game they could and
should have won by more.
With Tottenham losing as well, it
was a result that went a long way
to strengthening their hold on a
top-four place.
Rafa Benitez was delighted with the
performance and with a week
which also saw his team progress
in the Europa League, and earn an
FA Cup quarter-final replay against
Manchester United.
It has been a tough four months
for the interim manager,but this
last week has probably been the
best. He said: “I’m really pleased
with the performance and the clean
sheet, and that Frank has scored
200 goals. A fantastic achievement
for any player, but especially for a
midfielder.”
The catalyst for a fine Chelsea
performance was the effervescent
Hazard, who has emerged from
something of a mid-season slump
to hit peak form at a very good
time for his club.
He wrapped up the game with a
fine second-half strike and Benitez
said: “We never had any doubts
about Eden’s quality. It was just
about finding the relationship and
link with the other players. He is a
player who can make a difference.”
Chelsea dominated pretty much
from start to finish. Demba Ba, in
particular, could have had four
goals, each time being put through
one on one with Jaaskelainen, yet
each time failing to score.
After Lampard broke the deadlock
Andy Carroll, who battled up front
for West Ham virtually on his own,
got the ball in the net but was
penalised for pushing.
It was as close to a goal as West
Ham got all day, after yet another
limp awayday show. Chelsea
dominated and five minutes after
half- time Hazard exchanged passes
with Juan Mata and skipped past
two challenges to drill his shot into
the corner.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, his
side now just six points above the
drop zone, said: “I’m always
worried until we’re mathematically
safe. You never stop worrying.”
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 7;
Azpilicueta 7, Cahill 7, Luiz 7 (Terry
78, 6), Cole 7; Ramires 7, Lampard
7; Hazard 8, Mata 7 (Mikel 85),
Moses 7 (Oscar 70, 6); Ba 7. Goals:
Lampard 19, Hazard 50.
West Ham (4-4-1-1): Jaaskelainen
7; Demel 6, Collins 6 (Tomkins 61,
6), Reid 5, O’Brien 6; O’Neil 6,
Collison 6, Diame 6 (Taylor 46, 6),
Jarvis 6; Vaz Te 5 (Carlton Cole 80);
Carroll 6. Booked: Reid, Demel.
Referee: M Oliver
(Northumberland).chelsea 2
west ham 0
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