Chelsea crash on Lampard return, Man Utd, Newcastle boost top-four bids

Chelsea’s English caretaker manager Frank Lampard applauds fans on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on April 8, 2023. – Wolves won the game 1-0. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)

Frank Lampard failed to spark Chelsea as his first game back in charge ended in a 1-0 defeat at Wolves, while Manchester United and Newcastle consolidated their hold on places in the Premier League’s top four on Saturday.

Lampard made a surprise return to Stamford Bridge on Thursday when he was appointed until the end of the season following Graham Potter’s sacking last Sunday after just seven months in charge.

But the ex-Chelsea midfielder, who was dismissed by the club’s former owner Roman Abramovich in January 2021, could not provide an immediate lift for the Blues.

Chelsea, on their third manager this season following Potter’s exit and Thomas Tuchel’s sacking in September, remain 11th after a fourth consecutive game without a win.

The presence of Lampard, Chelsea’s record goalscorer, did little to inspire his players and Matheus Nunes won it for Wolves in the 32nd minute with a superb half-volley into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Sacked by lowly Everton in January after less than a year in charge, Lampard said of his Chelsea return: “There has been a lot of change and that’s not an excuse but things need to improve.

“I think that performance summed it up. I have to get an understanding of it. You have to get used to winning and make it a habit.”

At Old Trafford, Manchester United beat Everton 2-0 to stay fourth and leave the fourth-bottom visitors above the relegation zone on goal difference.

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