Don’t write City off yet

FRANK Lampard has told Chelsea the title race remains on as he targets a fourth Premier League winners’ medal and a first with Manchester City.

Lampard, Chelsea’s record goalscorer, scored the equaliser in September’s clash with the Blues, but was unable to force a winner in the return fixture as Jose Mourinho’s men survived a City siege to draw 1-1.

The 36-year-old midfielder scored a club record 211 goals in 13 years at Chelsea and won three Premier League titles, but could be a key figure in City’s title defence after leaving Stamford Bridge last May. The draw meant City remain five points behind Chelsea with 15 games to go.

“Now it’s very much lots of points to play for and it’s on. It’s important to keep focused. Chelsea are obviously the favourites as they’re five points ahead. It doesn’t change anything and Chelsea will be happy with that, but we can’t be too upset.”

Lampard joined City ahead of a move to New York City FC, having previously said he would never play for another Premier League club.

He might have expected a muted reception from Blues supporters, but, bar the odd dissenting voice, he was well received from fans who held him so dear for so long.

“City fans have been brilliant since I’ve been here. I appreciate that. They might not have known what to expect from me when I came here. Would I come here and just jolly up for five months and then go away to America?

“They can see when I play I try to give everything and then I came back here after 13 years and got a great reception at the end.”