This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
December 27, 2019
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has acknowledged the need for his team to improve their home form if they are to remain in the top four of the Premier League.
The Blues suffered a 2-0 loss to Southampton at Stamford Bridge, their second consecutive home league defeat since 2011.
Southampton's Michael Obafemi scored the opener in the 31st minute, curling a left-foot shot around Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from 20 yards.
The Saints doubled their lead in the 73rd minute through Nathan Redmond, who lifted the ball over Arrizabalaga and into the net after a Chelsea mistake.
Lampard admitted that Chelsea's problems are especially acute at their west London home, where they have won only four league games so far this season.
'You need a form of consistency to come in the top four in the Premier League,' Lampard said.
'Everyone is striving for it. We are in it at Christmas and people probably would have doubted that so from that perspective we can probably be happy.
'But to stay there and move onwards and upwards we have to win more than we have recently at home.'
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl praised his team's performance, saying that their victories at Stamford Bridge had led them to think 'why can't we do it too?'
Hasenhuttl added that his team showed they could pass the ball well, but also had the passion to win the ball back.
