That was just a mad one, says Lampard

FRANK LAmpARd praised the leadership of his senior players after Chelsea dragged themselves back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with Ajax. And the manager said the extraordinary clash was among the craziest nights in his long Chelsea career. ‘I’ve had some mad nights and some great nights,’ Lampard said. ‘I don’t think I’ve been involved in a game like that.’ Chelsea’s youngsters have stolen the headlines this season but Jorginho held his nerve to score two penalties and captain Cesar Azpilicueta also netted as Chelsea salvaged a vital point in the race for the knockout stages. ‘For a performance like today you need characters and personalities,’ added Lampard. ‘At 3-1 down at half-time, it’s easy to turn it in; even easier at 4-1 to give it up. But we never did. I keep saying it about the experienced players, the Jorginhos, cool head, driving the team, mateo Kovacic, Willian, sure, and Azpilicueta, those players really pushed tonight and I loved it. I can’t explain the game. For all the things we might analyse back, the madness of the game, we are here for entertainment I suppose and anyone who watched that has to say what a game of football. Respect to Ajax, what a spectacle.’ The Amsterdam club’s coach Erik ten Hag was furious with the officials after Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi sent off daley Blind and Joel Veltman in a matter of seconds midway through the second half, both for second yellow cards. They also had a goal ruled out in the clash in Amsterdam a fortnight ago. ‘We deserved certainly four points,’ he said of the two games with Chelsea. ‘But some decisions were against us, and we have only one point.’