Lampard turns plasterer to cheer up Scolari

PERHAPS it is for the best that the suggestion Roman Abramovich is touting Chelsea around the Middle East is far-fetched.

If potential investors had seen this excruciating performance, redeemed only by the brilliance of Frank Lampard and a slice of good fortune, then their oil dollars would doubtless remain firmly in their pockets.

As thrilling as Lampard’s left-foot drive was in the final minute of added time — a fitting way for the midfielder to mark his 400th appearance for the club — it was little more than a sticking plaster that barely disguised the increasingly deep wounds afflicting the London club.