EPL

Lampard bemoans Chelsea's rotten luck after loss to Brentford

By Sports Desk April 26, 2023

Frank Lampard lamented Chelsea's luck after the Blues' losing streak hit five games in all competitions with a 2-0 defeat to Brentford.

An own goal from Cesar Azpilicueta in the first half was followed by Bryan Mbeumo's deflected effort on the counter late in the second, leaving Chelsea winless in their last eight.

Lampard has tasted defeat in each of his three Premier League matches since returning to take temporary charge at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea still languishing in the bottom half of the standings.

The manner of the latest loss to Brentford will be difficult to swallow, as Chelsea dominated proceedings for the majority of the game but were unable to convert.

Lampard believes a lack of confidence is the reason for that, with everything going against his side.

"It's a difficult one; I feel for the players a bit. They've lived it longer than me and there is low confidence," he told BT Sport.

"In terms of the game, we controlled possession. Brentford are good at what they do. They turn you round, they get throw-ins, they get corners, they scored from a deflected corner in a stalemate first half.

"We dominated the second half and they scored on a breakaway, so the details of the game are pretty clear. We're lacking the belief when we get to the top end of the pitch.

"In this moment, it's not a sob story, but everything is going against us. That game is a clear one. Even though we're not creating big chances, we had control of the first half.

"We have difficult games, a really difficult run-in. Some players came into the game and did okay, so maybe it is time to see those players a bit more.

"At the moment, everyone is 20 per cent down on confidence, so that moment to beat a player, to deliver on that half chance we get, we're not taking it, so that's the story for me."

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