Skip to main content
Just Imagine

Four-goal Lampard leads Chelsea charge

  • Story Highlights
  • Frank Lampard hit four goals as Chelsea thrash doomed Derby County 6-1
  • He scores on 28, 57, 65 and 72 mins with Joe Cole and Kalou also on target
  • Portsmouth beat Birmingham 4-2 and Aston Villa drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough
  • Next Article in World Sport »
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

LONDON, England -- Frank Lampard hit four goals as doomed Derby felt the backlash from Chelsea's shock FA Cup exit with a 6-1 thrashing at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

art.lampard.gi.jpg

Four-goal Lampard kisses the Stamford Bridge turf as Chelsea thrash Derby 6-1 to stay in the title chase.

England midfielder Lampard was left of Saturday's humiliation at Barnsley but returned in sensational style as the Blues moved within five points of Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Salomon Kalou and Joe Cole were also on target as Derby, 10 points adrift at the bottom, were run ragged.

Lampard opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 28 minutes and was also on target after 57, 65 and 72 minutes as he destroyed Derby.

Derby were completely out of their depth and presented Avram Grant's side with a farcial second goal in the 42nd minute.

When Nicolas Anelka chased down Lampard's pass, Darren Moore waited for Carroll to clear, but the keeper opted for a despairing tackle which went straight to Kalou.

The Ivory Coast striker took full advantage as his first-time shot flashed into the empty net from 30 yards.

Chelsea showed no signs of easing up after half-time and a third goal arrived in the 58th minute. Anelka's pass gave Joe Cole room to drill a low cross to Lampard and he tapped-in from close-range.

The fourth goal was Joe Cole's in the 64th minute. Anelka sprinted clear of Derby's woeful offside trap and although Carroll saved his shot, Cole was on hand to bury the rebound.

Lampard completed his hat-trick two minutes later when his fine effort from the edge of the area bounced in over Carroll's dive.

He wasn't finished there and claimed another with a low strike into the corner for his 17th goal of the season.

Chelsea could be forgiven for one lapse in concentration and David Jones pulled a goal back for the visitors with a simple finish a minute later.

Portsmouth followed up their FA Cup quarterfinal win over Manchester United with a 4-2 victory over relegation-threatened Birmingham at Fratton Park.

Jermain Defoe struck twice in the first nine minutes, the first from the spot, as Pompey threatened to run riot.

Birmingham pulled one back through Fabrice Muamba a minute later and were level before half-time following a superb Sebastian Larsson free-kick.

Hermann Hreidarsson put Pompey back ahead four minutes after the break and this time Harry Redknapp's side held on. Kanu added the finishing touches with a fourth goal in the last minute.

Gareth Barry's controversial second-half penalty denied Middlesbrough a much-needed win as Aston Villa claimed a 1-1 draw against Gareth Southgate's side at Villa Park.

Barry converted in the 74th minute after Luke Young was harshly penalised for handball.

Stewart Downing had put Boro on course for a win that would have taken them seven points above the relegation when he took advantage of a poor Zat Knight clearance.

Celtic failed to put pressure on Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers by drawing a blank against Dundee United at Parkhead.

Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott McDonald hit the woodwork in the first half before United midfielder Craig Conway missed a sitter from six yards out when he headed over with only Artur Boruc to beat.

The Hoops dominated the second half but could not find a way past a resolute Tannadice defense who now look forward to Sunday's CIS Insurance Cup final against Rangers at Hampden.

Jeers rang out around Celtic Park at the final whistle with the realisation that the Ibrox club are three points ahead and with a game in hand as the SPL title race hots up. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print