Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been left lamenting the ‘same story’ after his team lost yet another Premier League home game to add a dismal recent run, this time against relegation threatened Southampton on Boxing Day.
Michael Obafemi and Nathan Redmond netted for the Saints in either half to secure a 2-0 win for the visitors. It is now the third time in the last four Premier League home games that Chelsea have lost following previous defeats to West Ham and Bournemouth.
Chelsea haven’t scored in any of those last three home defeats, while overall the team has lost five of the last seven league games, home and away, to derail a promising start to the season.
“Credit to Southampton, they were organised, they got their goals and got the win but we know we can do much better,” Lampard is quoted as saying by the club’s official website. “We need to be better at breaking teams down. It was the same story as a few of the last home games.”
The Chelsea boss described the game as ‘flat’ and was disappointed by a lack of chances.
“We need to show more in terms of bravery and quality on the ball,” Lampard explained.
“We haven’t been clinical in front of goal, that’s something we have to improve on. It’s a busy time for everyone, so tiredness isn’t an excuse, we just have to learn from this and improve quickly.”
Chelsea dominated possession and had 10 shots compared to Southampton’s five. But each side had the same number of efforts on target – three. The difference was that the visitors were clinical and took their opportunities when they came along.
Chelsea remain fourth in the Premier League table, but their lead over fifth place Tottenham, whom they beat on the road less than a week ago, has been cut to just three points. High flyers Sheffield United are also three points behind, while Manchester United are only four back.
Next up for Chelsea is an important trip across London to face Arsenal.
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Source : 90min