LONDON // Frank Lampard put his name in the history books for Chelsea as he scored four times in a 7-1 drubbing of Aston Villa to re-ignite his team's title challenge.
Only a week ago Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, was said to be under serious pressure after Manchester United and Arsenal had wiped out his team's early-season lead in the Premier League.
But the Stamford Bridge crowd roared "Carlo, Carlo" as Lampard led a remarkable performance against a Villa side who until now were challenging to finish in the top four - on a day when Arsenal were held to a draw by Birmingham.
Lampard's goals, two from the penalty spot, took his tally to 151 during nine years at Chelsea, leaving him third on the club's all-time list ahead of legends such as Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley. And it also took him to 21 for the current campaign.
"What a performance. He was terrific," said Ray Wilkins, Chelsea's assistant manager, after watching his team complete a crushing victory with Florent Malouda (2) and Salomon Kalou also scoring.
"When you consistently score goals as he does and play to the level he does then you have to say he is world-class. He's invaluable to us."
Lampard was not the only hero on the pitch, however, because Frenchman Malouda was also hugely influential.
The winger scored twice for the second match in a row, having also been on target in a 5-0 victory over Portsmouth in midweek, and has now hit the net 13 times this season, leading many critics to name him as Chelsea's most improved player.
Chelsea, who left top scorer Did-ier Drogba on the bench to reco-ver from a knee injury, went ahead after only 15 minutes when Malouda's driven cross found Lampard sliding in at the far post.
Villa equalised 15 minutes later when Ashley Young's terrific cross-field pass found John Carew completely unmarked to side-foot home at the far post, a defensive error that was forgotten in the second half as Chelsea took complete control.
They went ahead just before half-time when Zhirkov won a penalty, racing on to a Malouda flick before falling dramatically under a challenge from James Collins.
The ever-reliable Lampard made no mistake from the spot, just as he did when Zhirkov went down again in the second half, this time flattened by Richard Dunne.
By that time Chelsea, revelling in Ancelotti's new 4-3-3 formation with creative hub Deco at the helm, were already 3-1 ahead thanks to a wonderful finish from Malouda following a 57th-minute Zhirkov cross and they never looked back as Villa collapsed.
Malouda also made it 5-1, this time curling home a right-foot shot, before Kalou, on as a subsitute made it six and Lampard drilled home in injury time.
"We were well beaten by a good side and at 3-1 we capitulated. It was a tough lesson to take," said Villa's manager Martin O'Neill. "It was as devastating a lesson as I've experienced in the game.
"People talk about us finishing fourth but on that performance we wouldn't finish 44th."
Chelsea have no such problems. Not only has this result revitalised their title challenge and improved their goal difference, it has also seen confidence surge at Stamford Bridge, just as they prepare to travel to Old Trafford for a potential title decider next weekend.
"I'm not sure what sort of message it sends out but we're deligh-ted with the way things are going," added Wilkins.
"We're playing some very good football and the work ethic is terrific. We have a group of winners here and we want to win."
sports@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The years Ramadan fell in May
Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
