Lampard set to join century club at the Bridge

FRANK LAMPARD is determined to reach a century of goals for Chelsea and join the greats of Stamford Bridge.

The 29-year-old got to 99 with his strike against Liverpool in the Carling Cup quarter-final on Wednesday and will get the chance to pass 100 when Chelsea travel to Blackburn on Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to getting my 100th goal,” he said.

“It would be a big achievement to get that mark in six-and-a-half seasons. Reaching this mark was something I wouldn’t have dreamed of when I came here so I hope I can get it done soon and look to future landmarks.

“I feel very proud when I see the names I’m alongside or getting towards — players like Peter Osgood and Jimmy Greaves. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to reach their levels, but it’ll be very nice to be in that club.”

Lampard’s strike against Liverpool helped put Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and was the perfect response after they had lost at Arsenal in the league last weekend.

Midfielder Michael Essien still feels Chelsea are still part of the league title race, despite Arsenal and Manchester United establishing a small gap at the top.

“We are not far behind,” said the Ghana international.

“We had one setback against Arsenal, and I think we showed against Liverpool how much we hate losing and that we can win something.”

Meanwhile, Michael Ballack is surprised at suggestions he was unhappy with his treatment from Chelsea’s medical team as he recovered from an ankle injury. The midfielder, who returned to first-team action against Liverpool for the first time in eight months, insists he is grateful for efforts to get him back to fitness.

Ballack said: “I am very grateful for the work everyone has done — in particular the physios — to get me back on the field.”