Lampard happy about his Blues’ short-term form

GOALS from Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi helped Chelsea beat Southampton 4-1 as boss Frank Lampard declared “we’re in good short-term form”.

The Blues moved up to fifth in the table after their victory on the south coast, their fourth of the season.

Chelsea head coach Lampard was understandably delighted when he spoke to the media following the game.

“I’m pleased. It finished a period for us nicely,” he said.

“We went into the last international break after dropping two points against Sheffield United, which was our responsibility. Here was the opposite.

“We’re in good short-term form. “I wanted to finish strong. That was the team talk to the players and it was a relatively comfortable afternoon in the end at a tough place to come if you’re not on it.

“I thought our performance was generally very good.

“I didn’t think we started that great, but what pleases you is when players stand up and have moments that give you control of a game.

“Tammy’s goal was incredible to get the purchase and the contact on the ball to get it and then Mason [Mount] steps up.

“In the second half we had the disappointment of a couple of sloppy moments which then seeped into the game, which we will have to look at. We can’t do that. We can’t offer up opportunities for other teams to get back into the game.

“Generally I thought we were comfortable and managed it well. We could have maybe scored one or two more.”

Lampard said of Abraham: “It’s confidence. When people are in good form, things happen for them. And that comes from how Tammy has handled himself all season from the early moments when people were questioning him.

“It is the work ethic behind the scenes that gets him in such good nick.

“He’s not just a handful for defenders, he has good feet, holds up the ball well. He is also getting goals, which is brilliant for him.

“I trusted in Tammy at the start of the season. I felt it was his time to come back to Chelsea.

“He has made the position his own in the short-term. Over the season we will need everybody and he deserves a great start to the season.

“I will keep on him because I want more.”