Lampard fires title warning

MIDFIELDER Frank Lampard insists Chelsea can fend off any new year title push from Manchester United after the Blues halted their mini-crisis with a hard-earned victory over bottom club Portsmouth on Wednesday night.

Chelsea overcame a spirited performance from Avram Grant’s side thanks to a 79th-minute spot-kick from Lampard.

The former Chelsea boss looked to have heaped more misery on the Blues, who had taken only one point from their previous two games, when Pompey striker Frederic Piquionne cancelled out Nicolas Anelka’s first-half opener in the 51st minute.