Lampard: We Were Taught Serious Lessons By Man City

Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea side were handed serious lessons in the first half of Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

City were rampart in the first 45 minutes against the Blues and went 3-0 up thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne.

Chelsea got a consolation goal through Callum Hudson-Odoi in added time.
Chelsea have now won just one of their last six games in all competitions despite a promising start to the season.

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Reacting to their latest setback, Lampard admitted he knew there would be tough moments this season. Even so, he knows that there are big lessons to learn from Sunday’s defeat.

He told Sky Sports: “For 10 minutes we were good, then they started to play and we concede two poor goals back to back in the game.

“It knocked us and we didn’t react well. We allowed the space for Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan for the first goal.

“Serious lessons in the first half, good character in the second half but then the game was done.

“Everyone a month ago saying we could win the league. I was pretty sure in terms of a rebuild, the [transfer] ban and the youth that there were going to be periods of pain we were going to go through.

“When a team gives you a problem it has to be dealt with but we didn’t.”

The defeat follows up another recent loss to a rival for the higher positions in the table, against Arsenal.

Lampard claimed he came away from both games with contrasting emotions. However, he believes Chelsea will have to respond to these setbacks to reach the level of City or Liverpool.

He continued: “It’s not the same emotion, the first half against Arsenal was lethargic but today City were showing real personality and control on the ball.

“That’s when you get tested and I’m not leaning on the youth because I thought they were good – Billy Gilmour and Callum Hudson-Odoi with his goal was positive.

“At the minute we’re in a little period, five or six games that we’ve struggled. If you go back to City and Liverpool in their transition periods there were periods of pain and you have to get through that.”