Here is your Chelsea digest for Sunday, December 27.
Lampard's verdict on Arsenal defeat
Frank Lampard was not happy with Chelsea's performance in their 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday.
"(It was) Not good enough in the first half," he said after the game. "Second half was better but we had too much to do at that point.
"Not good enough on the basics - sprints, pressing, running, speed of pass and trying to play. All the basics were wrong."
Asked about whether complacency crept in given Arsenal's form, he added: "I'm not sure complacency was the right word but there was definitely a lethargic approach to the first half - no matter if you were playing Arsenal, who were in a tough moment and have quality players, or any team in the Premier League.
"You can't turn up with that lethargic [approach]. I'm concerned about what's at the bottom of it but I'm not sure it's definitely complacency."
Player ratings
Alan Smith rated the Chelsea players from the shock defeat to the Gunners. Here is a taster.
Edouard Mendy Tricked by Alex Lacazette from the penalty spot and unable to keep Granit Xhaka's free kick out. Bukayo Saka's third was a freak that he could do little about. Also spilled a Martinelli shot at 3-0. 4
Reece James Poor. Back in the team despite not being 100% recovered from a knee injury and his defending to allow Kieran Tierney in for the penalty was shocking. It was very, very soft as the Arsenal player went down so easily but he should not have gotten goal side either. 4
Thiago Silva Ineffective. Booked for putting a hand in Lacazette's face nearing latter stages and had a good chance to make it 3-2 in final minute of normal time only to miss the target. 5
Kurt Zouma A threat from attacking set pieces, heading a Mount corner over in the 22nd minute but looked a yard off the pace when Arsenal attacked. 5
Ben Chilwell Clearly not 100% fit but that he started instead of Emerson or even Marcos Alonso shows how little confidence Lampard must have in the deputies. 5
Fitness latest on Chilwell and James
Full-backs Ben Chilwell and Reece James were surprise inclusions in the Chelsea line-up for the Arsenal clash following injuries.
And ahead of the game, Lampard provided a fitness update which could give a clue as to whether both players could feature again for Chelsea in less than 48 hours when they take on Aston Villa.
"It’s good news because they have been in good form this season," he said.
"With Reece [James], he has a knee that’s bothering him but he has been able to manage it at the moment, so that’s good and Chilly [Ben Chilwell] is playing with a bit of pain but haven’t we all with a bit of a swollen ankle or two.
"He has shown well in the last day or two so he has been passed fit."
