Lampard sure Gilmour has ‘big future’ at Stamford Bridge

CHELSEA boss Frank Lampard insists Scotland starlet Billy Gilmour has a ‘big future’ as he defended the decision to hand the 18-year-old a senior debut against Sheffield United.

The Rangers academy product, who joined the London club in July 2017, was pitched into action with eight minutes left to play as Lampard’s men sought to hold on to a 2-1 advantage on Saturday, replacing Mateo Kovacic.

However, Chelsea failed to claim all three points, with the Blades levelling through a last-gasp Kurt Zouma own goal.

And Lampard was irked by suggestions that introducing Gilmour at such a pivotal point in the contest was a ‘bold’ decision.

He said: “It wasn’t a bold substitution because it was one for one in the same position. Kovacic was on his haunches and was tired and Billy Gilmour is a midfield player.

“People can say what they want but I wasn’t trying to be clever at 2-1, I was trying to see the game out.

“I’ve got faith in Billy - he’s going to have a big future. But we’ve got an injury to N’Golo Kante in midfield who is a fantastic player for us, so Billy is on the bench. We have a [transfer] ban, so the squad is what the squad is.”

Scotland under-21 internationalist Gilmour has shone in Chelsea’s youth ranks and was an unused substitute in the Uefa Super Cup Final defeat to Liverpool last month.

In a post on Twitter, Gilmour said: “Gutted with the result. Proud to be given the opportunity to make my professional debut in the Premier League.”

Elsewhere, 10-man Southampton held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s with Jannik Vestergaard cancelling out Daniel James’ opener for the visitors on Saturday afternoon.

Liverpool won their fourth Premier League fixture in a row with a 3-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor, while title rivals Manchester City recorded a 4-0 home win over Brighton. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva both scored either side of a Sergio Aguero brace for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Crystal Palace made it two wins on the bounce after overcoming Aston Villa 1-0 at Selhurst Park thanks to Jordan Ayew’s second-half goal, and Newcastle United and Watford played out a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park. Will Hughes got the goal for the visitors before Fabian Schar equalised for Steve Bruce’s side.

Leicester City continued their unbeaten start to the 2019/20 league season with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the King Power, with Jamie Vardy bagging a brace.

And Sebastien Haller maintained his impressive start to life at West Ham, getting on the scoresheet in his side’s 2-0 win over Norwich.