Lampard thanks fans for ‘special’ reception and calls for patience

Frank Lampard said the reception he received from Chelsea fans during his first game as a manager at Stamford Bridge was “special”.

Lampard, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, had his name sung by supporters throughout Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Leicester – his first home match since being appointed in the summer.

Mason Mount’s early strike was cancelled out by Wilfred Ndidi’s second-half header to deny the former England midfielder a winning return to west London.

Lampard was grateful for the loud backing.

“It felt great,” he said. “It’s the stuff of dreams, but my focus was on the game and trying to win.

“Thanks very much to the fans, they were great with that and I certainly appreciate it but I am here to do a job and try to win for this club and we can do better than we did.

“It was obviously a special moment for me to come back and manage the club at Stamford Bridge.”

The crowd stayed behind the team, in particular backing Kurt Zouma, and youngsters Mount and Tammy Abraham, who came on a substitute.

But Lampard also said he and his coaching staff understood and shared some of the mild irritation shown by supporters during the closing stages of an increasingly stretched game that saw both sides guilty of some sloppy passing as they chased victory.

“There were frustrations but we are working one way here and we know there are tough elements this year,” he added.

“I knew I couldn’t bring any new players in and we lost Eden Hazard and he was so pivotal to this club.

“Everyone understands that and will be patient but we can certainly do better and we will do, for sure.”

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