Lampard happy, but wants more from Chelsea

FRANK LAMPARD said he was happy but wants more from his Chelsea side after they got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa yesterday to consolidate fourth spot in the Premier League.

Back-to-back defeats by Manchester City and West Ham United had followed six straight league wins, but the return of striker Tammy Abraham proved crucial against Villa.

He headed the opening goal for his 11th of the season and set up the winner for Mason Mount with a neat chest-off three minutes after the break.

Lampard, Chelsea’s record scorer who won three Premier League titles during his playing career at Stamford Bridge, said his side should have won more easily.

“I am happy but I want more,” Lampard, whose side are six points clear of fifth-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, told reporters.

“We have had a pretty good start because most people probably expected us otherwise. But I want more all the time and I think that the last week has been a good example of that for us.

“I saw us go to Manchester City and trade with them like a big team who was in and around that level, then at West Ham we were not. Today we recovered.

“That shows me where we are to have a real potential to getting where we want to be, but also aware of the little tough bumps in the road.”

Lampard was full of praise for Abraham, who looked sharp after returning from a hip injury, and N’golo Kante who was a commanding presence in midfield.

“Today (Abraham) came back straight in where he left off.

Kante’s ability to win the ball, the high intensity to lead into areas and win it back, it’s why he has this tag of being one of the outstanding players in world. It’s a pleasure to have him in my squad,” Lampard said.

Abraham could not finish the game and 10 minutes before halftime he was hauled off after suffering what looked like a recurrence of his injury last week.

When asked about Abraham’s injury, he said: “It doesn’t seem too bad. Tammy at the moment is Tammy. A striker near the top, showing his all round game. A personality in the dressing room.”

It will be good news for Chelsea, who have no time for rest with a trip to Goodison

Park to face Everton at the weekend. – Reuters/Daily

Star