Frank Lampard's return to Chelsea has taken another wrong turn following Wednesday night's result in the Premier League clash with Brentford. The English coach was condemned to a new low after leading the Blues to a disappointing 2-0 defeat inside Stamford Bridge, as his winless run as a caretaker manager continues.
Chelsea fans' desire of seeing their poor run ended in the mid-week fixture were not boosted by the team selection made by interim manager Frank Lampard, who opted for a conservative approach against Brentford. The pragmatism of the former Blues' midfielder was subsequently punished, with a rather drab first half performance fortuitously going in favour of the visitors.
Thomas Frank's side failed to have a single shot on target in the first half but Chelsea failed to capitalise on the inefficiency of the visitors as they struggled to create chances themselves. A hugely disappointing half subsequently ended with boos from the home supporters who saw the team concede a Cesar Azpilicueta own-goal in the 37th minute to hand the visitors the lead.
Things improved slightly for Chelsea in the second half following the introduction of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's introduction. However, the Blues' failed to find an equaliser, and saw any dream of a comeback shreded after Bryan Mbeumo curler in the 78th minute handed the visitors a two-goal buffer.
In hindsight, the defeat leaves Chelsea in the bottom half of the table as they sit 11th, six points behind Fulham in 10th and eight behind Brentford, who move up to ninth. They are also 20 points off fourth with six games remaining.
For Frank Lampard, every game he has managed since his appointment on 3 April has ended in defeat - three in the Premier League and two in the Champions League - while the Blues have scored just once so far under their all-time top goalscorer's watch as their season-long struggle in front of goal continued. The 44-year-old English coach has also managed just one win in the last 19 matches he has managed, losing 16 and drawing the remaining two games.
