Lampard lauds ‘transformed Chelsea’

Veteran midfielder confident ahead of QPR clash tonight.

LONDON: Frank Lampard says Chelsea’s dramatic upturn in form has transformed the Premier League title race.

Lampard struck twice in the 2-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park that moved the Blues back up to third place and ensured they face bottom club QPR at Stamford Bridge tonight looking for a seventh win in eight games.

Four successive league wins have moved Rafael Benitez’s side to within eleven points of leaders Manchester United with a game in hand and Lampard believes the club can once again be considered serious contenders.

“We have to keep believing,” said the midfielder. “There is a long way to go and things have changed around.

“It can only happen if we win our games but if we go on performing like we have done in the last few league games and keep doing that, it’s all we can do. We need to keep this form and this attitude.”

Don’t judge us yet: Rodgers

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has urged critics to wait until the last two months of the season before passing judgement on his team as his side prepares to take on Sunderland at Anfield tonight.

“The second half of the season is the business end when things are decided,” Rodgers told Sky Sports. “When you arrive at that period you want to get yourself in a good position to challenge and I believe we can still achieve our objectives this season.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2013.