MX23RW : Saturday, June 1 11:49:23| >> :60:3051:3051:

Frank Lampard expecting "tough" Chelsea run-in in top-four race

Frank Lampard expecting
© Reuters
The third-placed Blues have their final two Premier League matches against champions Liverpool and high-flying Wolves.

Frank Lampard said Chelsea's last push for the Champions League will "be tough" but insisted it will not come down to a test of nerve.

Olivier Giroud wasted a hat-trick of chances before heading home Christian Pulisic's teasing cross as Chelsea saw off already-relegated Norwich 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

The third-placed Blues moved four points ahead of both Leicester in fourth and Manchester United in fifth, with their final two Premier League matches against champions Liverpool and high-flying Wolves.

Lampard has rejected the idea that Chelsea's Champions League qualification will now rest on bravery however, challenging his players to keep clear heads instead.

Asked if sealing a top-four finish now comes down to bottle, Lampard replied: "No. I keep talking about mentality, but I don't like the word bottle too much.

"We've got two games now against just two really good opponents, so we've just got to focus on those games one by one.

"We've got to prepare properly and show the right attitude, and I think we did that tonight.

Chelsea v Norwich City – Premier League – Stamford Bridge
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, right, was happy to get the points against Norwich (Richard Heathcote/NMC Pool/PA)

"So rather than talk about bottle I want to talk about focus and attitude, and hopefully we have enough to get through but it's going to be tough."

Chelsea were quickly reprieved for Saturday's humbling 3-0 loss at Sheffield United courtesy of Leicester losing 4-1 at Bournemouth and Manchester United drawing 2-2 with Southampton.

While the Blues were happy to take the let-off, boss Lampard insisted he had not even spoken to his players about the results elsewhere ahead of Tuesday's west London clash with the Canaries.

"I actually didn't speak to them about it today because I think I have mentioned other games around us," said Lampard.

"We all saw the games but I don't think I had to say that to them today. We know that the team around you has a moment like that then you have to capitalise. We failed to do that at other times this season.

"All I wanted to do was make sure we did our job tonight. I felt tonight was about us. We were against a team who has just been relegated. With all respect, here at home if we get our job done at home we get three points and we did do that.

"I was delighted with Christian Pulisic's movement to run behind on the little angle for the goal, because that's what we weren't doing enough of in the early stages in the game.

"Ollie Giroud will always be alive to those in the box. If you're playing Olivier Giroud you want to get balls into the box, you need to play to his strengths, and he gets a really good goal."

Norwich were unable to generate any clear-cut chances, but manager Daniel Farke still hailed the commitment of his Canaries, who had seen their relegation confirmed with a 4-0 thumping by West Ham.

"I have to say I am pretty pleased with the reaction of my lads," said Farke.

"We had to deal with the disappointment against Chelsea's need to win this game.

"And I think we were unbelievably competitive, really compact and not that far away from winning a point."

ID:406564: cacheID:406564:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7589:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
West Ham United's Michail Antonio celebrates scoring against Norwich City in the Premier League on July 11, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Antonio, Sterling, Martial
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!