Chelsea FC are now 3rd in the Premier League table, 3 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and a point above Arsenal as the battle for next season Champions League intensifies. They defeated Swansea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge with goals from teenage pro Oscar and Frank Lampard.
Lampard’s 45th minute goal happened to be the talking point of the match as the 34- year- old midfielder netted his 201 goal for the club, to move one goal shot of the club record held by the watching Bobby Tambling.
Lampard came in midway through the first half for injured Ramires and immediately made his mark on the game by setting up Oscar’s 43rd minute opener before going on to score a penalty in the 45th minute. The goal was Lampard’s 15th goal of the season and first since scoring against former club West Ham on March 17.
Skipper John Terry displayed an impressive performance after back- to- back appearances for the first time since February, alongside returnee Gary Cahill to deny the Swans (the last team to defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge) the chance of getting a goal back.
The victory has instilled confidence in the side due to play Manchester United next weekend and Tottenham on May 8. For now, Thursday’s semifinal clash with FC Basle is the only obstacle between Chelsea and silverware as the Blues are on course to sealing an automatic Champions League spot.
Swansea was gifted an opportunity to pull one back in the second half when Lampard’s pass towards Terry was intercepted by Jonathan de Guzman, but the Swansea man couldn’t take advantage before Terry recovered to sweep the ball off his feet.
Midfielder John Mikel Obi sat on the bench for a second match running, as Referee Mark Clattenburg returned to Stamford Bridge since he was cleared of using ‘inappropriate language’ towards the Nigerian.
