BLUES CAN HAK IT!
Lampard purrs at ‘complete’ performance inspired by new boy Ziyech
FRANK L LAMPARD hailed Chelsea’s “co “complete performance” asHak as Hakim Ziyech announced his arrival in the Premier L League with a bang.
The Blues’ chief was p purring after the final w whistle following a comprehensive display with his £33million signin signing from Ajax grabbing centre stage. stag
Lampard returned from the midweek Cha Champions League trip to Russiawith Russia with a clean sheet and three goals. But he h was just as happy with the manne manner of the victory here as the Clarets were never allowed to get out of f first gear.
After a start to the campaign during which Chelsea have been found wanting defensively, this was their third shut-out inside eight days on their travels.
Following a sluggish start they were never in trouble after man-ofthe-match Ziyech fired them into a 26th-minute lead.
Lampard (below) said: “It was a very complete performance from us. It’s a difficult place to come to. They make it very difficult for teams and they’ve been unlucky in games. We controlled massive parts of the game, so I’m very happy.
“I was always aware at the start of the season that it wasn’t going to be easy. It was asking a lot for us to fly out of the blocks, but performances like this show that we’re doing something positive. We need to get our heads down and keep working hard. When you are keeping clean sheets and when you are scoring goals, it shows you are going in the right direction. We were positive in our passing and movement. It’s a nice step forward for us.
“So, I’m really pleased. It’s tight everywhere. There are games where we’ve been frustrated and dropped points. It’s happening everywhere in the Premier League. This is a good win.”
Ziyech caught the eye – not just for his goal and assist for Timo Werner’s third – but he was involved in pretty much everything of note going forward.
When Lampard can find a defined role for Kai Havertz, his team is going to be a match for any. But
the stand-out player was the Morocco international. Chelsea’s chief previewed the match by suggesting the 27-year-old could become Eden Hazard’s successor.
That’s a high bar and there was nothing to suggest he could match the dribbling skills of the Belgian maestro.
But Ziyech showed that in every other aspect of his game that he will be a significant addition.
He added: “I’m really impressed and excited. I could see his personality and work-rate off-the-ball.
“He has that. You saw that today. That bit of quality gives us something different.”
Burnley, with boss Sean Dyche celebrating his eighth year in the job in east Lancashire, came flying out of the blocks.
Matt Lowton’s diagonal ball in the sixth minute caught Kurt Zouma napping and Ashley Barnes nipped in. His attempted lob went over the bar. But he was caught late by keeper Edouard Mendy, leading to anguished complaints after the final whistle from the Clarets’ chief.
But once the visitors shrugged the effects of the long trip to Russia out of their system, they looked a class apart.
Ziyech drilled home the first, Kurt Zouma powered home a header in the second half – ‘that killed us’ said Sean Dyche – and the opening goalscorer then turned provider, setting up Werner who finished with all the confidence of a man who was scoring goals for fun at his previous club, Red Bull Leipzig.
Burnley’s boss said: “I think we started well. We should have had a penalty, but we know our record with penalties – I don’t know what penalties are or aren’t anymore. I’m not remotely saying that would win us the game, but it would have given us a chance. After that, we’re getting punished for everything. That’s how it is, things go against you or feel like they’re going against you.
“It’s a challenge. The feeling that winning brings, the confidence it brings, it adds to what you’re trying to achieve. I don’t think panicking will change anything. I think structure, organisation and hard work, they may change things.”
It’s a difficult place to come to. They make it very difficult for teams.We controlled massive parts of the game, so I’m very happy