Lampard breaks record in Chelsea victory

Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 2

Frank Lampard broke Bobby Tambling’s all-time Chelsea goalscoring record and effectively sealed the club’s Champions League place. 

Aston Villa led through Christian Benteke’s 14th-minute goal, and Chelsea’s hopes of a fightback looked slim when Ramires was sent off for a second yellow card following a needless high challenge just before half-time.

But Benteke, who should have been dismissed for elbowing Cesar Azpilicueta before the break, also saw red for a second caution and then Lampard took centre stage.

The only blemish prior to Wednesday’s Europa League final against Benfica was a serious looking injury to John Terry, who was taken off on a stretcher, and the sight of Eden Hazard limping off clutching his hamstring.

But the day belonged to Lampard, who smashed Chelsea level from 15 yards and then started and finished a brilliant move to seal victory late on.

Lampard’s brace moves him on to 203 goals for Chelsea, one more than Tambling’s long-standing record.

More importantly it means they are six points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have no realistic chance of overhauling a mammoth goal difference in their last two games.

Chelsea’s hopes of winning looked remote when Ramires’ reckless leaping challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor saw him receive a second yellow card.

But Benteke, who gave Villa the lead inside 15 minutes when he easily went past Gary Cahill and then beat Petr Cech at the near post, received a second caution for a high kick on John Terry after 58 minutes.

The Blues, needing a victory to secure a top-four spot, had dominated possession for long spells before the break but created little in the way of chances.

Demba Ba almost levelled but his shot was well blocked by Brad Guzan.

And Lampard went close with a fizzing low free-kick that skidded off the turf and Guzan fumbled onto the outside of the post.

But Benteke’s red card breathed new life into the Blues and Chelsea piled forward.

Lampard levelled within three minutes when he ran across the box and fired the ball home with his left foot from 15 yards after fine work from Azpilicueta, Hazard and Juan Mata.

Only an amazing double clearance denied Cahill and then Ba.

The ball appeared to over the line following an almighty goalmouth scramble which ended with Ashley Westwood clearing as Ba stretched.

Lampard then missed a good late headed opportunity from Azpilicueta’s fine cross and half-time substitute David Luiz went close with a swerving 25-yard free kick that Guzan pushed away.

But it did not matter as Lampard slotted home after a sweet move involving Mata and Hazard.

Relegation-threatened Villa now need Wigan to drop points against Arsenal to secure Premier League survival, while the Blues can relax ahead of Wednesday’s final against Benfica in Amsterdam – albeit with a major concern over key man Hazard.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry (Ivanovic 75), Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Moses (Luiz 45), Mata, Hazard, Ba (Torres 87).
Subs not used: Turnbull, Oscar, Benayoun, Ake.

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