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Frank Lampard refused to blame Edouard Mendy after Chelsea suffered their first loss in 18 games.
Chelsea lost 1-0 at Everton after Mendy gave away a penalty in the first half, which Gylfi Sigurdsson converted.
He ended a streak that had seen Chelsea avoid defeat since September. As a result, they missed the opportunity to reach the top of the table.
After the game, Lampard admitted that his team did not start well enough to enter the game.
“It’s not our best performance,” he said. “The first 20 minutes were key for me, I knew I was coming, longer balls and second balls for a team that needed to win.
“When you go down 1-0, it fits perfectly with his game plan. We hit the post twice, but at our levels and what we’ve been recently, not good enough.
“I would not say that the energy or desire was not there, we were just out of place. The guys are heartbroken because we were on a roll.
“If they are going to make it difficult for you, do not concede a long pass or a second ball. We have been going down the sides, the quality of the crosses has been good and today it has not been. Credit to Everton.
“When teams play for a long time with one of the best forwards in the league, you have to suffer the moments and pass. Disappointed, we didn’t have enough to open the door. “
Mendy is not the only culprit
Mendy was the center of attention for his role in the game’s only goal, but Lampard insists the goalkeeper has been too good overall since his arrival to be criticized too much for a mistake.
“I don’t think Eduoard Mendy was just guilty, but so far he has been outstanding so I’ll accept that.”
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Chelsea They have been told that they will compete for the Premier League title this season, but they will have to change results like this to do so.
Lampard insists there is a long way to go before they can think about being league winners.
“It’s a long season and these people talking about us winning the league, better squad, it’s ridiculous. You have to look at the teams that won it in the last three or four years; they have wingers, forwards who score 30, 40 goals and league, Champions of the Champions League.
“Coming here to this place, they were ready for a result and we failed the test. We will do it in the future. “
READ MORE: Ancelotti explains why Everton is still one level below Chelsea despite the win
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