LIGHT IS SHINING MOUNT DELIVERS FOR LAMPS AS WELCOME WIN
FRANK Lampard is breathing a little easier in the Chelsea hotseat.this victory, only their second in the Premier League from the last seven outings, means the Blues boss will definitely live to fight another day.
However, it was anything but a convincing display from Chelsea as they made heavy weather of taking out 10-man Fulham.
In the end it was one of
Lampard’s favourite young stars, Mason Mount, who came up trumps with the killer second-half strike.
The England midfielder’s fourth goal of the campaign ensured the visitors have rediscovered that winning feeling once more.
Just in the nick of time for Lampard, who after a hellish festive season must have been fearing any more dropped points would have led to owner Roman Abramovich calling up the firing squad.
As it is the Blues are looking upwards once again after jumping up to seventh in the table.
Lampard said: “I thought Mason was outstanding tonight.
“I did have a feeling we would get the goal because it was constant, the pressure – it was just staying patient, staying quick with our passing – and we did.
“He needs to score more goals, Mason knows that but his quality is brilliant, his attitude is brilliant but he’s only 22.” Spare a thought, though, for his pal and opposite number Scott Parker.
This first loss in seven games was harsh on his troops.
Indeed, but for Antonee Robinson’s dismissal before the break, Parker’s men may well have taken all three points – let alone a share of the spoils.
After an amazing 17-game unbeaten stretch, which had piled up expectations of a possible first title in four years, Chelsea arrived here way off the pace.what many assumed was no more than a blip before Christmas had become a nasty, long-running rut.
Four points from a possible 18 explained why they had dropped like lead from second to ninth in such rapid time.
In stark contrast, Fulham were undefeated over the same period.
Yes, they had drawn five out of five in the league but, with the opposition faced including
Liverpool, Southampton and Tottenham, that record looked impressive.
That is why, despite his side being in the drop zone still, the pressure on Parker was nothing in comparison to those dark clouds gathering over Lampard.
Brighton’s win at Leeds meant the gap between Fulham and 17th-place Burnley was four points.
Parker, however, has never lost faith, and excellent displays had backed him up.
Last night they matched Chelsea early on before the visitors gradually began to dominate.
Olivier Giroud had a long-range effort saved in the ninth minute – and that set the pattern.
Fulham stopper Alphonse Areola was busy, doing brilliantly also to
stop Hakim Ziyech’s piledriver.and he was soon thanking his crossbar for saving him on 30 minutes. Mount, in rare space inside the area, controlled before smashing a first-time effort off the woodwork.
If Chelsea deserved better they were counting their blessings to be level at the interval after Ivan Cavaleiro failed to finish off a 42nd-minute counter-attack.
Robinson was integral to that blistering attack – yet barely 60 seconds later was dismissed for a late lunge on Cesar Azpilicueta.
The foul was needless and left the hosts with an uphill task.yet they stood firm and seemed to be coping – until 12 minutes from time.
Areola, who had been rock solid throughout, made his only error and Fulham paid the price.
He should have done far better dealing with Ben Chilwell’s cross but he parried straight into the path of Mount, who this time made no mistake.
Parker said: “I haven’t seen the sending off again but at the time I didn’t feel it was.
“I have nothing but admiration for my team.”
ORDEAL: Pain for Scott Parker