Chelsea: Frank Lampard says he is ‘frustrated’ after Saints draw
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has admitted he's unsure why the club are performing so badly at the back. The Blues drew 3-3 with Southampton in their Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon. And he was far from happy with the result.
Chelsea went into the game against Southampton aiming for back to back Premier League victories, having beaten Crystal Palace 4-0 last time out.
But the Blues weren’t at their best defensively as the Saints snatched a draw.
Chelsea raced into a two-goal lead when Timo Werner bagged a brilliant brace, with the Germany international registering his first goals in the Premier League.
Southampton then levelled through Danny Ings and Che Adams, before Kai Havertz struck for the Blues.
However, Lampard’s side were denied victory at the death when Jannik Vestergaard scored late on.
And he was far from happy after the game, saying: "You go two goals up you want to finish it off.
"It was the best we've played this season for sure at this stage.
"But Southampton are a good side. They put pressure on us off the ball. They put us under pressure after the first goal.
"My message at half-time was that the goal shouldn't change too much. We never got to the same levels in the second half. We can do better."
On his side's poor defending, he added: "We are seeing lots of goals across the league and no manager is happy.
"I don't know why it is. There are attacking players in this league and maybe pre-season and lack of working time plays a part. But we have to get better at it."
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Chelsea striker Werner was unhappy at the final whistle, laying into the club’s defenders for failing to prevent a dramatic late equaliser.
“The first half we played very well,” said the former RB Leipzig star. "When you get a goal two or three minutes before half-time it is not easy. You have to think with a clear head.
“Southampton make a lot of pressure on us and pressed us high. We gave them too much in terms of opportunities. We have to win the game.
"I am happy about the goals but I want to win the game. 50 per cent I am happy, 50 per cent not.
"I don't know if we have a problem but the last three games we concede six goals and it is not where we want to be, to compete for titles.
“In Germany we always say defence wins titles. If we concede so many it is hard to win games and win titles."
Meanwhile, Southampton star Adams expressed a belief that a draw was the correct result, saying: "It started quite slow but we managed to get ourselves in the game. I think it is a fair result.
"It is good to contribute. We work hard so it is nice to give something back.
"It is a great bunch. The gaffer has built a good base and hopefully it will continue."
Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood agreed with Adams, saying on Soccer Saturday: "Southampton deserved it, we have to give them a lot of credit.
“They got outplayed in the first half. Chelsea were dominant, and it was one-way traffic
"But Southampton got the goal before half-time and it changed the whole picture. Southampton came out in the second-half with confidence, they stepped up to Chelsea and they deserved their draw."
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