Proud Frank sees ‘babies’ come of age
FOR Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, this feels like a landmark result — not just in terms of their European chances but also their whole season.
Chelsea have been impressive under their new manager and this win made it six on the bounce. But Chelsea had lacked a standout victory against a really good side. Now they have one.
Ajax had not lost a single game since their heartbreaking Champions League defeat to Tottenham at this stadium in May. But here they were downed by a Chelsea side which grew into this contest and scored the most significant goal of Lampard’s short reign four minutes from the end.
The goal was created by one Lampard substitute and scored by another. So a hat-tip to the coach for his courage to send on two attacking players — Christian Pulisic and Michy
Batshuayi — midway through the second half. Lampard could have sought a creditable draw at that stage. He could have introduced a more defensive player. But when Batshuayi crashed a first-time shot in off the bar after great work down the left by his American team-mate, Chelsea had a win which will give them great belief that this season may yield more than steady progress. Chelsea were impressive and had to be. Ajax may have lost some of last season’s team but they have regenerated and sit top of the Dutch league. But, helped by super performances from the central defensive partnership of Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori and the energy and drive of Mason Mount, Chelsea proved themselves more than capable. Ajax did not have the best of luck. A first-half goal from Quincy Promes was ruled out for offside after the VAR officials spotted that he was a toe-end the wrong side of the law. Then, in the second period, Edson Alvarez headed a corner against the far post.
Equally, though, Ajax were too careless in possession and it always felt as though a good team may punish them. Chelsea eventually showed themselves to belong in that category.
Afterwards Lampard (left) did not attempt to play down the significance of his team’s performance, or the result. That was as refreshing as his team’s football.
‘It feels huge, which always scares me as there’s still lots to do,’ said the Chelsea manager.
‘I think we’re entitled to be excited about how we play. This is a blueprint. This answers questions because the younger players are still babies in terms of Champions League minutes and this was a huge test.
‘I don’t want to say they’ve made it. But we need to realise the things that happened tonight. That is the standard for us.’
There were some early scares for Lampard and his assistant Jody Morris was booked for something he said during an opening half hour that was not always comfortable.
But Chelsea grew into the game. Mount was progressive and brought a low save from Andre Onana while Callum Hudson- Odoi wasted two good chances.
Ajax did look to have scored in the 35th minute when Promes prodded in a deflected cross from Hakim Ziyech at the far post. He was offside, though. Just.
But after the hour Chelsea were the better side. Their defending had given them the platform on which to build as Ajax tired late iin ththe game anddBBatshuayithi couldld actually have won it earlier than he did.
When Pulisic’s shot from distance was deflected it came down perfectly for his team-mate to score from 10 yards. Instead, the Belgian shanked his shot high over the bar and it felt as though Chelsea’s best chance had gone.
A draw would have been a fine result — but better was to come.