Frank Lampard praised match-winner Mason Mount for his influence on Chelsea’s performance after the midfielder sealed a 1-0 win over Fulham.
The England international hammered in the only goal of the game in the final 15 minutes at Craven Cottage, with the Blues otherwise struggling to break down the home team - despite them playing the entirety of the second half with 10 men.
Lampard felt his team needed the win to boost morale after recent results had been poor, and said Mount in particular deserved to get the credit for the three points - though should be on the scoresheet more often.
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“It feels good because of our league form recently and you have to break the duck of what you’ve lost,” the Chelsea manager told Sky Sports.
"It’s not easy against 10 men but we kept going and got what we deserved tonight. You’ve got to create chances, get crosses in the box and combinations going but because of our recent form it’s a little bit harder, confidence isn’t there.
“You trust in the quality of the players; Mason was outstanding in the game anyway, he needs to score more goals and he knows that but he’s quality and deserves it.”
By contrast, Timo Werner came on as substitute and spurned a big chance to wrap up the win when through one-on-one, but Lampard says continuing to work hard is the only way the German forward will come through a tough patch. The Blues boss also noted that his side have to follow this up with further victories, having lost ground in their challenge for even a top-four finish this season, let alone being involved in the title race.
"It’s only good if we back it up. We can’t think everything is solved because we want more. There’s a transition with new players but we need to get points because it’s Chelsea; we go again on Tuesday [against Leicester].
Fulham boss Scott Parker similarly had praise for his side in staying in the game as long as they did, with the defeat bringing to an end a run of five straight draws in the league after Antonee Robinson’s first-half dismissal.
"Just before [the red card] we have a massive chance with [Ivan] Cavaleiro and the sending-off changes it a little bit. We realised we’d have to weather something up but at the [final] 10 [minutes] you’re playing the clock a little bit.
“I have nothing but admiration for my team, to go up against a team of the quality of Chelsea and the circumstances was remarkable really.”
On the red card incident, Parker was hesitant to criticise his wing-back, feeling that the Cottagers must be as competitive as possible against bigger sides without going overboard.
"I’ve not seen it back. At real time I didn’t think it was but I don’t want to be commenting blind. The players are disappointed, Antonee is because it changes the balance. If it was a reckless tackle then there’s a balance and that’s what he needs to learn.
"We need to be competitive but sometimes you cross that fine line and maybe he has today."
