• CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy, 5 - Nothing the keeper could do about Gundogan’s accurate opener but could perhaps have forced the issue more against Raheem Sterling as the England man picked his spot before firing against the post, allowing de Bruyne to tap home the rebound. AP
    CHELSEA RATINGS: Edouard Mendy, 5 - Nothing the keeper could do about Gundogan’s accurate opener but could perhaps have forced the issue more against Raheem Sterling as the England man picked his spot before firing against the post, allowing de Bruyne to tap home the rebound. AP
  • Cesar Azpilicueta, 4 - A really poor day as the Spaniard was regularly beaten to the punch by a combination of Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne, while his poor positional play was exposed. Getty
    Cesar Azpilicueta, 4 - A really poor day as the Spaniard was regularly beaten to the punch by a combination of Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne, while his poor positional play was exposed. Getty
  • Kurt Zouma, 5 - Another Chelsea defender who couldn’t live with the verve of City’s front three and it was a harsh reality check for a defender who has grown into his role at Stamford Bridge. AFP
    Kurt Zouma, 5 - Another Chelsea defender who couldn’t live with the verve of City’s front three and it was a harsh reality check for a defender who has grown into his role at Stamford Bridge. AFP
  • Thiago Silva, 4 - The Brazilian has been superb since signing from Paris St Germain, but this was easily his worst display in a Chelsea shirt. The centre back failed to deny the space required by Gundogan to squeeze home the opener and failed to organise his defence during the visitors’ first-half blitz. AP
    Thiago Silva, 4 - The Brazilian has been superb since signing from Paris St Germain, but this was easily his worst display in a Chelsea shirt. The centre back failed to deny the space required by Gundogan to squeeze home the opener and failed to organise his defence during the visitors’ first-half blitz. AP
  • Ben Chilwell, 5 - Arguably his side’s best defender on the day and he did get forward during fleeting moments on the attack, but the former Leicester man still had his fair share of tricky moments against Raheem Sterling. PA
    Ben Chilwell, 5 - Arguably his side’s best defender on the day and he did get forward during fleeting moments on the attack, but the former Leicester man still had his fair share of tricky moments against Raheem Sterling. PA
  • Mateo Kovacic, 4 - Twice gave possession away in dangerous areas and can count himself lucky that the ruthless City forwards didn’t punish him for it. Booked for a poor tackle on Kevin de Bruyne and replaced for the final 20 minutes or so by Kai Havertz. Getty
    Mateo Kovacic, 4 - Twice gave possession away in dangerous areas and can count himself lucky that the ruthless City forwards didn’t punish him for it. Booked for a poor tackle on Kevin de Bruyne and replaced for the final 20 minutes or so by Kai Havertz. Getty
  • N’Golo Kante, 3 - A horrible day at the office that saw him regularly chasing shadows as City ran the Chelsea midfield ragged. His poor pass sparked a slick City counter that resulted in the visitors’ third and his lack of awareness could have cost his side more. Replaced by Billy Gilmour just after the hour. AP
    N’Golo Kante, 3 - A horrible day at the office that saw him regularly chasing shadows as City ran the Chelsea midfield ragged. His poor pass sparked a slick City counter that resulted in the visitors’ third and his lack of awareness could have cost his side more. Replaced by Billy Gilmour just after the hour. AP
  • Mason Mount, 6 - Found it tough to get a foothold in the game as City took control of all areas within the opening 15 minutes, but a bursting run and cross was rewarded with a good finish by substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi in the closing stages. AP
    Mason Mount, 6 - Found it tough to get a foothold in the game as City took control of all areas within the opening 15 minutes, but a bursting run and cross was rewarded with a good finish by substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi in the closing stages. AP
  • Hakim Ziyech, 4 - A game that largely passed the Moroccan by, with his only meaningful moment being an indirect free kick on the edge of the box that was charged down by the City defence. Replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi in the 64th minute and will be lucky to start the next game. Getty
    Hakim Ziyech, 4 - A game that largely passed the Moroccan by, with his only meaningful moment being an indirect free kick on the edge of the box that was charged down by the City defence. Replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi in the 64th minute and will be lucky to start the next game. Getty
  • Christian Pulisic, 5 - Like Ziyech, the winger failed to really get into the game, although not through any real fault of his own. He failed to pull the trigger when he worked the ball well with Timo Werner in the first half, instead choosing to hold on and wasting the chance. AP
    Christian Pulisic, 5 - Like Ziyech, the winger failed to really get into the game, although not through any real fault of his own. He failed to pull the trigger when he worked the ball well with Timo Werner in the first half, instead choosing to hold on and wasting the chance. AP
  • Timo Werner, 5 - He’s been waiting months to get his chance in a more central role, but the German still looks like a player who is low on confidence and he didn’t ever look like troubling City goalkeeper Zack Steffen. Getty
    Timo Werner, 5 - He’s been waiting months to get his chance in a more central role, but the German still looks like a player who is low on confidence and he didn’t ever look like troubling City goalkeeper Zack Steffen. Getty
  • SUBS: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Ziyech, 64’), 6 - Busted a gut to get on the end of a low Mason Mount cross to slot home for 3-1. AFP
    SUBS: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Ziyech, 64’), 6 - Busted a gut to get on the end of a low Mason Mount cross to slot home for 3-1. AFP
  • Billy Gilmour (Kante, 64’), 5 - The game was long gone by the time the young Scot was introduced. Getty
    Billy Gilmour (Kante, 64’), 5 - The game was long gone by the time the young Scot was introduced. Getty
  • Kai Havertz (Kovacic, 77’) N/R - Never looked like inspiring a late comeback. AP
    Kai Havertz (Kovacic, 77’) N/R - Never looked like inspiring a late comeback. AP
  • MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Zack Steffen, 6 - A bizarre moment saw the Premier League debutant pick up a Rodri backpass early on, but that was the only incident of note in a quiet afternoon between the sticks. AP
    MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Zack Steffen, 6 - A bizarre moment saw the Premier League debutant pick up a Rodri backpass early on, but that was the only incident of note in a quiet afternoon between the sticks. AP
  • Joao Cancelo, 7 - Could have faced a tough time against the combination of Christian Pulisic and Ben Chilwell on the Chelsea left, but the Portugal international was excellent and didn’t give the pair a sniff. PA
    Joao Cancelo, 7 - Could have faced a tough time against the combination of Christian Pulisic and Ben Chilwell on the Chelsea left, but the Portugal international was excellent and didn’t give the pair a sniff. PA
  • John Stones, 7 - The former Everton man is clearly enjoying his City renaissance and didn’t put a foot wrong against opponents who struggled for creative spark in the final third. Getty
    John Stones, 7 - The former Everton man is clearly enjoying his City renaissance and didn’t put a foot wrong against opponents who struggled for creative spark in the final third. Getty
  • Ruben Dias, 7 - Had to be alert against a couple of Chelsea set pieces in the first half but it was an otherwise leisurely afternoon for the big-money signing from Benfica. AP
    Ruben Dias, 7 - Had to be alert against a couple of Chelsea set pieces in the first half but it was an otherwise leisurely afternoon for the big-money signing from Benfica. AP
  • Oleksandr Zinchenko, 7 - With City maintaining their width via Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling didn’t see a great deal of the Ukrainian going forward, but he had an easy time of it against Hakim Ziyech. Getty
    Oleksandr Zinchenko, 7 - With City maintaining their width via Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling didn’t see a great deal of the Ukrainian going forward, but he had an easy time of it against Hakim Ziyech. Getty
  • Rodri, 8 - An excellent afternoon’s work in which he quickly strangled any life out of a Chelsea midfield. The City No 16 stroked the ball across the pitch with ease and kept a lid on any glimmer of a Chelsea fightback. EPA
    Rodri, 8 - An excellent afternoon’s work in which he quickly strangled any life out of a Chelsea midfield. The City No 16 stroked the ball across the pitch with ease and kept a lid on any glimmer of a Chelsea fightback. EPA
  • Bernardo Silva, 7 - Had moments where he could have got his name on the scoresheet, only for some last-ditch Chelsea defending to prevent a more significant impact. Booked for a poor challenge on Pulisic late on. Getty
    Bernardo Silva, 7 - Had moments where he could have got his name on the scoresheet, only for some last-ditch Chelsea defending to prevent a more significant impact. Booked for a poor challenge on Pulisic late on. Getty
  • Ilkay Gundogan, 8 - A fabulous turn and finish opened the scoring whilst making Thiago Silva look like an amateur and the German was the best player on the pitch in the first half. AFP
    Ilkay Gundogan, 8 - A fabulous turn and finish opened the scoring whilst making Thiago Silva look like an amateur and the German was the best player on the pitch in the first half. AFP
  • Phil Foden, 8 - The youngster has been starved of minutes recently but he took his goal brilliantly as he glided the ball home with a first-time effort, and on another day he could have had a couple more to his name. Brought off for the final few minutes and replaced by Riyad Mahrez. EPA
    Phil Foden, 8 - The youngster has been starved of minutes recently but he took his goal brilliantly as he glided the ball home with a first-time effort, and on another day he could have had a couple more to his name. Brought off for the final few minutes and replaced by Riyad Mahrez. EPA
  • Raheem Sterling, 7 - Unfortunate not to score when he rounded Mendy and hit the post with a curling effort despite plenty of attention from Chelsea defenders, but the loose ball fell to de Bruyne, who tapped home. Getty
    Raheem Sterling, 7 - Unfortunate not to score when he rounded Mendy and hit the post with a curling effort despite plenty of attention from Chelsea defenders, but the loose ball fell to de Bruyne, who tapped home. Getty
  • Kevin de Bruyne, 8 - Playing in a less familiar role as the central focal point of a front three, the Belgian was the beneficiary of some good fortune when Sterling’s effort cannoned off the post, allowing for an easy tap-in, and his movement caused the home back four a whole host of problems. AP
    Kevin de Bruyne, 8 - Playing in a less familiar role as the central focal point of a front three, the Belgian was the beneficiary of some good fortune when Sterling’s effort cannoned off the post, allowing for an easy tap-in, and his movement caused the home back four a whole host of problems. AP
  • SUBS: Fernandinho (Gundogan, 75’), N/R – Slotted into midfield to help comfortably see the game out. AP
    SUBS: Fernandinho (Gundogan, 75’), N/R – Slotted into midfield to help comfortably see the game out. AP
  • Sergio Aguero (de Bruyne, 86’), N/R – Too late for him to add to his impressive ten goals against Chelsea. AP
    Sergio Aguero (de Bruyne, 86’), N/R – Too late for him to add to his impressive ten goals against Chelsea. AP
  • Riyad Mahrez (Foden, 86’), N/R – Unable to get into the game. AP
    Riyad Mahrez (Foden, 86’), N/R – Unable to get into the game. AP

Football

N'Golo Kante 3, Hakim Ziyech 4; Kevin de Bruyne 8, Phil Foden 8: Chelsea v Manchester City player ratings

A stunning statement from City leaves the "heat" on Frank Lampard

James Capps

January 04, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Frank Lampard admits Chelsea can expect more "pain" if he is allowed to complete his Stamford Bridge rebuilding work.

Blues boss Lampard admitted to feeling the "heat" after Sunday's 3-1 Premier League loss to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne fired City into a 3-0 lead in just 35 minutes, with Callum Hudson-Odoi bagging a late consolation for the hosts.

"I was real after we beat Leeds (3-1 on December 5) saying that we're not title contenders, and I'm real now saying it takes time," Lampard said.

"Any build or rebuild takes pain; pain behind the scenes and pain on the pitch occasionally.

"This is a difficult period and I understand the reasons why. Today the first half showed me the reasons why and we have to keep fighting and I'm the first one who has to keep fighting.

"I'll always feel heat: I felt heat when we were on our good run, because I know that round the corner can be a negative.

"Maybe (N'Golo) Kante you can take out, but when you look around the team, there's a lot of youth, a lot of new players that are trying to come in and settle."

Chelsea have now suffered four defeats in their last six league matches - but Lampard refused to talk for his bosses over his long-term future.

"I'm not going to speak for people above me or the board, it's not for me to do that," he said. "It is what it is on those terms, I can only speak about it as I see it, as a manager and a club.

"When we had 16 games unbeaten I still saw those flaws in our game. When we've lost four games I still see those flaws now.

"And I can't think about what people say beyond, because I can't be distracted.

"I'm relaxed about peaks and troughs of form. I expected periods of difficulties this year, and I've spoken about that a lot already.

"I said it when we beat Leeds and people were championing us as title contenders.

"Whether it puts pressure on me or not, it doesn't matter. A month ago everyone was asking me whether I was going to sign a new contract, and now they will be saying different things.

"But over a busy period we've lost four games of football, so the pressure remains constant and you know it's there."

He continued: "My job is to keep working, my job is to lift the players who felt that in the first half.

"We're fighting to try to match those levels and I know it takes us time."

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