Back-to-back losses for Lampard
It is now back-to-back Premier League defeats for Chelsea after they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to West Ham on Saturday.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Frank Lampard, whose side lacked ideas or any real cutting edge. Chelsea laboured for long periods and could have no complains as West Ham left with their first win at Stamford Bridge in 17 years.
The result has allowed Tottenham to close to within six points for Chelsea and all of the all a sudden the race for the top four looks back on.
Giroud fails to take chance
Olivier Giroud has been waiting weeks for a chance in the Chelsea team but he did little to show Lampard he should be playing more.
Tammy Abraham’s injury gave Giroud an opportunity and it was a show of faith from Lampard that he started the Frenchman ahead of Michy Batshuayi.
But Giroud had no impact at all on his first Chelsea appearance for more than a month and was substituted on 70 minutes as Chelsea chased the game.
He could have no complaints. As he searches for regular football ahead of Euro 2020, his future remains uncertain ahead of the January window.
Abraham absence a blow
Chelsea missed Tammy Abraham badly here.
Abraham has been in fine goalscoring form this season and Chelsea lacked a real goal threat without him in the team. Lampard will hope Abraham’s injury does not keep him sidelined for long and will hope he can return against Aston Villa in midweek.
