Lampard picks his spot to blow title race wide open

FRANK LAMPARD’S dramatic penalty winner against previously unbeaten Manchester City could prove to be one of the most significant kicks of an already dramatic season; after all it meant so much for his own career, for Chelsea’s season, his manager’s future and — perhaps even more importantly — for a title race that is now there for the taking.

Just when it seemed City were too good for the rest of the competition — there had even been talk of them matching Arsenal’s Invincibles by going the entire campaign unbeaten — Chelsea produced a result that re-invigorates their own campaign and turns a one-horse title race into a five-team chase for the championship.

City must have thought when they went 1-0 up through Mario Balotelli after only two minutes last night and dominated the opening half-hour that they were on an almost unstoppable roll; but a penalty that wasn’t given, a Raul Meireles equaliser, a second-half sending-off for Gael Clichy and Lampard’s late penalty completely changed the season of both teams and possibly of an entire league campaign.

For Lampard it was particularly sweet because he was left on the bench by Andre Villas-Boas for the second match in a row and only arrived on the field after 73 minutes; but nine minutes later he became, yet again, Chelsea’s hero after Daniel Sturridge’s shot struck Joleon Lescott’s hand.

Referee Mark Clattenberg gave that decision but on a rip-roaring night of fast-paced action he missed Jose Bosingwa’s clear foul on David Silva in the first half with the score at 1-0. Could that be the moment when the Premier League momentum shifted? Or was it Clichy’s second yellow card, a clear foul on the inspirational Ramires having already shoved Sturridge moments earlier?

“With 10 men it was difficult,” admitted. Mancini. “We deserved to score three goals in the first half and close the game; but if you don’t score then the game can change.

“The big decision was not getting a penalty because the referee was there. He was three metres away from David Silva and didn’t give it. It was a big penalty and you should get it.

“It won’t change anything for us though; we always knew we could lose one game. We lost but now it’s finished and now we prepare the next game which is difficult because it’s Arsenal. We are disappointed about this defeat but we have time to recover.”

The result was possibly far more important for Chelsea’s season than City’s; and that was reflected in the post-match celebrations which saw the entire team huddle together on the pitch and then tensions spill over in the tunnel. But for Villas-Boas that was not the story.

“It was a very good win for the players against record-breaking league leaders. Going 1-0 down so early made things very difficult; but we showed a good sense of character and resilience and did very, very well.

“It’s a very gratifying win; it changes our challenge for the Premiership. Seven points in this Premier League with so many teams competing for the title is nothing. A lot of things will continue to happen; Man City play Arsenal next and we have Tottenham to come soon.

“There’s never been so many teams competing for the title; Tottenham are competing, Arsenal coming from the depths, Liverpool looking good after a solid win. We are seven points behind but we have to keep going.”

Chelsea showed remarkable resilience to come from behind after conceding in the second minute when Sergio Aguero played a wonderful through-ball to Balotelli, who rounded goalkeeper Petr Cech to score.

After getting a slice of luck through the non award of that penalty to Silva, an equaliser through Meireles was earned before the fireworks of the second half.

Lampard’s penalty was a moment celebrated wildly at Stamford Bridge but also at Old Trafford, the Emirates, Anfield and White Hart Lane.

Subs for Chelsea: Lampard for Meireles 73, Malouda for Mata 84, Mikel for Sturridge 88.

Subs for Man City: K Toure for Aguero 64, De Jong for Silva 75, Dzeko for Lescott 85.