Frank Lampard will struggle to tear himself away from Manchester City’s Premier League title battle with former club Chelsea to join New York City FC in January, Manuel Pellegrini concedes.
It was Lampard’s collected finish that cemented City’s vital 3-0 victory at Southampton that moves Pellegrini’s side to second in the table.
The Chilean reiterated City will hold talks with Lampard and Major League Soccer franchise New York before Christmas to find a solution to suit all parties.
“That’s why we’re going to have to make the best decision for him, for the club, for New York City, for everyone,” Pellegrini said before adding Lampard, 36, would not want to desert the champions’ quest to retain their title.
Lampard only pitched up at City ostensibly to stay match-fit ahead of his move to New York, part-run by the Manchester club’s owners.
Pellegrini has been hugely impressed by Lampard’s attitude and influence and said he will push to extend the former England star’s stay at City.
“I don’t think anyone can find it strange the way Frank Lampard plays football, he knows all what you must do to win in this sport,” he said.
City leapfrogged Southampton in the English Premier League table in a comfortable victory that rammed home the size of Saints’ task in clinging on to their early-season top-four berth.
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman conceded his side’s lack of attacking acumen let them down on Sunday.
“In the second half I thought little by little we would create little chances to win the game,” he said. “But it was not good enough.
“It is far harder to create chances against a team like Manchester City: that was not good enough from us, and we got punished for that.”
Kane credits desire to press forward for Tottenham win
Jan Vertonghen hailed a complete team performance after Tottenham came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at White Hart Lane.
A stunning strike from Kevin Mirallas put Everton in front, but Christian Eriksen levelled before a rare goal from Roberto Soldado gave Tottenham a lead they kept to the final whistle.
“We can do better in possession, but I think we showed character,” Vertonghen said. “We had a very good defensive line, the midfield and strikers as well were very good. It was a team performance today.”
Harry Kane had a hand in both goals, winning the ball from Gareth Barry to set up Soldado’s strike as Spurs put pressure on Everton throughout.
“It helps that the strikers and midfielders press their direct opponents because it makes the distances smaller,” Vertonghen said. “It makes our job easier.”
Kane did not score but was named man of the match.
“It feels good to get the win because it was tough out there,” he said. “Everton are a great side and it was a good battle between both teams. I’m absolutely buzzing to come away a winner.
“We’ve been working on pressing higher up the pitch and creating opportunities. Obviously I caught [Barry] on the ball. It’s good to see what the manager has been working on working out on the pitch.”
Everton manager Roberto Martinez was frustrated, claiming his side’s performance was worthy of a better result.
“It was one of those performances where it’s really difficult to take the result at the end because it’s very harsh,” he said. “We performed really well.
“Remember, we are playing away from home, facing a team with a lot of individual quality, but once we scored that first goal, the hardest moment of the game, for five or 10 minutes after we couldn’t impose ourselves and take the game away.”
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