Title race is far from over, Lampard warns United

FRANK LAMPARD has warned Manchester United that the title race is far from over after Chelsea fought back to beat Arsenal 2-1 in their crucial Barclays Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s title aspirations looked dead and buried when Bacary Sagna headed the Gunners in front in the 59th minute but Arsene Wenger’s side had not banked on the determination of Didier Drogba.

The Ivory Coast striker scored twice in eight minutes to overturn Arsenal’s advantage and leave Chelsea in second place, five points behind leaders Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson’s side have yet to play at Stamford Bridge and Lampard says the race for the title remains open-ended.

Lampard insisted: “United have to come here so basically we have to try to win all our games and if we can beat United and they drop points then we have got a chance, it is as simple as that.

“It is far from over. Manchester United know that and we know that but it is important that we try to win our games in the meantime before we play them. The win (against Arsenal) was very important. We were 1-0 down and had we lost we would have been virtually out of the race. We knew that.

“That is why we dug in so hard and pulled it round. The spirit of the lads, especially at 1-0 down, was fantastic.”

Drogba’s double was the Ivory Coast striker at his best. The Chelsea ace has struggled to find his best form since returning from the African Nations Cup.

But his goal against Tottenham last week and the double strike against Arsenal has demonstrated that he is beginning to find his best form again.

“It was Didier at his best,” said Lampard. “He had two of the best centre-halves in the Premier League, if not the world, against him and he gave them a horrible afternoon.

“When Didier is like that, he has got the lot and he got his reward towards the end. We always know that when you have Didier in your team he is going to be a big threat.

“Even if it is not him scoring winning goals like he did, he is always a big threat and a powerhouse and that was him at his best today.”

However, there were a few worrying aspects for coach Avram Grant and his side. When Chelsea were a goal down and Grant removed Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele in favour of Juliano Belletti and Nicolas Anelka, the home fans sung “you don’t know what you’re doing” and chanted the name of his predecessor — Jose Mourinho.

But the changes worked and that allowed Lampard to sidestep the issue.

“The fans are emotional and they call it as they see it,” he continued.

“But at the end of the day we are there trying to get results and I think this is a side issue. The issue that matters was that the players turned it round.

“The subs who came on did very well and we turned the game around so it is not worth dwelling on things like that. You hear it but I don’t think you take it in because it doesn’t matter. What matters is what you do on the pitch.”