Frank Lampard has called on his players to demonstrate better consistency after Chelsea slipped to a surprise 3-2 defeat against West Ham. The loss means the Blues squandered a chance to move up to third in the Premier League after Leicester slipped up at Everton.
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West Ham then took the lead through Michail Antonio's close-range finish but Willian levelled things up with an excellent free-kick before Andriy Yarmolenko bagged a late winner on the break.
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Lampard cut a frustrated figure after the final whistle, although the Chelsea manager refrained from being overly critical of his team.
Speaking to BBC Sport , he said: "It happens, it is the Premier League and if you make mistakes like we did, we dominated the game in terms of possession, but make mistakes and teams will hurt you.
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Chelsea news: Frank Lampard has questioned his side's consistency after the Blues lost to West Ham (Image: GETTY) "I'm not happy with any of the goals. You don't get given victories for scoring two goals, you have to be better than that.
"There were moments they counter-attacked, which we knew they would. There were details in the game which we knew but we lost because we didn't get them right.
"It is why we are fighting for top four not one or two, because we don't get things right as much as the big boys do.
"I am not happy with tonight but at the same time we are two points ahead of Manchester United, who have been going great for some time.
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Related articles Former Chelsea boss Conte lining up raid for Blues striker Giroud Christensen reveals Chelsea squad reaction to Werner, Ziyech transfers READ MORE Timo Werner has two key attributes that will help Chelsea star settle "If you don't get details right in big games, you're going to drop points. I think at times we have played really well this season. As a group we need to find more consistency.
"We have to defend the moment better. Against West Ham you have to make recovery runs. That is the bit we got wrong."
Lampard's final comment is arguably directed at Marcos Alonso, who was seen jogging back as Yarmolenko sprinted past the Spaniard to score the winner.
The lack of effort on display from the left-back will fuel rumours of an impending departure during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea news: Marcos Alonso was guilty of not tracking Andriy Yarmolenko's run for the winner (Image: GETTY) READ MORE West Ham captain Noble picks seven stars that saved Chelsea millions oth Alonso and fellow full-back Emerson Palmieri are considered surplus to requirements with Chelsea targeting Ben Chilwell, although it remains to be seen if both players depart Stamford Bridge.
The future of Kepa Arrizabalaga is also uncertain, with the Spanish stopper having been dropped by Lampard earlier in the season.
The 25-year-old was recalled shortly before the coronavirus lockdown but reports have linked the goalkeeper with a loan move to Valencia.
Ajax ace Andre Onana has been touted as a likely replacement, although Chelsea are currently focused on signing attacking midfielder Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen.
