Lampard explains key reason for Chelsea’s failure to win

Joe Williams
Frank Lampard Chelsea

Frank Lampard admits Brighton were “better” than Chelsea in their 1-1 draw but thinks his side could have won if they had been more ruthless in front of goal.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s acrobatic finish punished Frank Lampard’s wasteful Chelsea who wound up fortunate to avoid defeat, with Kepa Arrizabalaga denying Neal Maupay late on.

Albion’s record signing Jahanbakhsh had broken a 20-match league duck with his strike in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth on December 28. And the 28-year-old started 2020 in some style, with a bicycle kick finish worthy of anyone’s highlights reel.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta tapped home just nine minutes in as Chelsea dominated the opening hour. But by the final whistle it was the Blues who were clinging on, to leave Brighton buoyed by the point but Chelsea frustrated not to grind home.

“It was frustrating for different reasons,” Lampard told BBC Sport.

“In the first half, the game was there to be won. We weren’t ruthless enough. We got the goal and we had the possession. But we just didn’t kill the game off.

“We allowed them to stay in the game. In the end it was a wonder goal but we were lucky not to lose the game.

“In the end, the tactics matched up for both teams but they were better than us. We have to take that on the chin.

“[The lack of consistency] is a concern. It’s something we absolutely have to look at.

“We have to look at the game today. It’s a point, I’m not happy with the performance.”