Chelsea in pole but race still on, insists Frank Lampard

Chelsea 1 Man City 1: If Frank Lampard really does have bridges to build with some at Chelsea, he went a long way towards winning over those at Stamford Bridge who feel betrayed by his surprise emergence as a mainstay of Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City squad by insisting his former club remain favourites to win the Premier League.

Lampard’s return to west London has been anticipated ever since City announced he would remain at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the season.

His equaliser in the reverse fixture in September added another twist to the narrative and his emergence 13 minutes from time as a second-half substitute raised the possibility of the midfielder striking another decisive blow in the title race.

Had Lampard managed to inspire what would have been a deserved victory, after David Silva had quickly cancelled out Loic Remy’s 41st-minute opening goal, City would now find themselves within striking distance of the leaders.

As it was, Chelsea held on to remain five points clear and any mixed feelings towards the Blues’ record goal-scorer and inspiration behind much of the club’s success in the last decade remained hidden.

With emotions in check, Lampard was able to offer a clear-eyed assessment of where the stalemate leaves both clubs. “The result was probably better for Chelsea in terms of the Premier League,” said the former England man. “I think with the chances, particularly in the first half, City were the stronger team for sure, and I think possession-wise in the second half.

“It certainly leaves the race on. Chelsea are a very strong team and they will be favourites because they’ve got a five-point gap. But with the race, I think we’re talking about the two best teams in the country. It’s still on. It will be on until the end.”

It was hard to avoid the belief that this was an opportunity missed by Pellegrini’s team, especially as Chelsea displayed the effects of their epic Capital One Cup semi-final with Liverpool and were without Diego Costa, suspended for three games for his stamp on Emre Can, and the injured Cesc Fabregas.

“They had a big game in midweek and I think we were in the dressing room there feeling like we might have won the game but it leaves it with a nice balance to it,” said Lampard. “If you lose the game, then all of a sudden people would write you out of it so it keeps the league ticking over.”

As detached as Lampard was in his analysis of the situation at the head of the table, the 36-year-old admitted he had approached this game with a degree of trepidation.

“I was nervous in general I think because it’s just so different,” said Lampard, whose last appearance at Stamford Bridge had seen him waved off a fully fledged club legend. “To come here and then be playing for an away team, quite a lot spoken about it — the attention’s seemingly on you even though the big deal is the game. It was a bit nerve-racking but I’m pleased with how it went.

“I’ve remained close to Jose. It’s football and it’s sport and I haven’t spoken to him that much about it recently. I think Jose is probably concentrating on his team and trying to win the league and that’s why they’ve bought in some players this year and look very strong.”

Chelsea offered little before Eden Hazard’s low cross was inexplicably left by Vincent Kompany, allowing Remy to score from close range. Within four minutes, City were level when Silva diverted Sergio Aguero’s shot past Thibaut Courtois and while the visitors pressed throughout the second period, Mourinho’s side showed commendable resolve to stand firm.

The home side’s display suggests that Mourinho’s insistence there is a campaign against his club this season, a view only reinforced by the treatment of Costa, is having the desired effect on his players.

“I think this is part of the mentality to win,” said Branislav Ivanovic, the right-back, who played with a badly gashed foot. “You need to motivate yourself to go over the limit and even to not think about whether someone is against you. You have to find that motivation inside you and even sometimes with the extra pressure we need to feel.”

He added: “The most important thing in football is every player who gets the chance is the most important player and has to give everything for the squad. I think this is something from inside, from us to make each other better, to help each other on the field. I think this is something you can see and this is the reaction of every player. Even when he’s not playing, when he comes on he gives everything and this is a good example for us, and for me, this is the only way to win.”

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Courtois 5; Ivanovic 6, Zouma 7, Terry 5, Azpilicueta 6; Ramires 6, Matic 7; Willian 7 (Drogba 80, 6), Oscar 6 (Loftus-Cheek, 90 6), Hazard 7; Remy 7 (Cahill 87, 6).

MANCHESTER CITY (4-4-1-1): Hart 6; Sagna 6, Kompany 5, Demichelis 6, Clichy 6; Fernandinho 7, Fernando 6 (Lampard 77, 6); Navas 7, Milner 7, Silva 7 (Jovetic 90, 6), Aguero 6 (Dzeko 84, 6).

Referee: Mark Clattenburg 7.