While champagne corks were popping 200 miles away on Merseyside, Frank Lampard was able to reflect on a night that showed his three-year plan to turn Chelsea back into title contenders is on track.
The focus on Liverpool clinching their first title in 30 years is understandable, but the significance of this result for Chelsea should not be overlooked.
It was crucial to their hopes of securing Champions League qualification but, perhaps more than that, it was evidence of the progress being made under Lampard.
After defeat for Manchester City confirmed Liverpool as champions last night, Lampard (right) said he felt there was still a “clear gap” between Chelsea the top two.
But their display showed they are bridging that and, with Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and more new signings on the way, the Blues are set to become a force again.
Lampard warned there is still much work to be done to restore Chelsea to a level where they can consistently get results like Liverpool and City, and said the £47.5million signing of Werner alone will not turn them into serious title contenders.
He knows his young side are still developing, but their display against City will give him plenty of encouragement.
“For the last three years, Liverpool and City have been out on their own pretty much,” said Lampard. “And that is a lot of work, through Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, the projects, the plans, the players, how they work.
“One result against City and the performance is a great feeling for us, but the reason we do not amass enough points is because of the consistency which those two teams have reached. There is a clear gap and it will not happen overnight with one or two signings. There is a lot of work to be done. Liverpool and City have been a work in progress for a few years and are getting success now. So, I am not getting carried away, but we want to bridge that gap.”
It was put to Lampard that last night he was one of the most popular men on Merseyside. “That has not happened ever before and will not happen again!” he said.
“It is a big three points for us. The win will give us confidence, but the consistency we produce between now and the end of the season is what is going to define us this year.”
