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Lampard calls for ‘character’ after a ‘below par’ Chelsea are beaten by West Ham

Frank Lampard cut a frustrated figure after seeing Chelsea beaten 1-0 by West Ham at Stamford Bridge, the Blues boss calling on his side to show ‘a bit of character’ in their upcoming fixtures.

After a goalless first half, West Ham took the lead three minutes after the break via the unlikely source of Aaron Cresswell, the left-back cutting in from the flank before firing past Kepa Arrizabalaga with his right foot.

Despite Chelsea dominating possession and chances, they were unable to make a breakthrough. Speaking afterwards, Frank Lampard admitted that his side were “below par”.

“Shocked isn’t the word, I’m more disappointed,” Lampard said.

“We didn’t perform the way we wanted to. But I do believe in the squad.

“There haven’t been many times I have said we were below par, but today was one of those days.

“I don’t think it’s time for harsh reactions and judgements, it is time for a look at a bit of character to see our reaction.”

Chelsea, who were without Tammy Abraham through injury, had 19 shots compared to West Ham’s five, though only six of them were on target. Jorginho, who was captain for the day, admitted that the south-west London side were simply not clinical enough in front of goal.

“I think we were not clinical,” said the Italian.

“We need to be more clinical when we create the chances. We weren’t and then we conceded. Then it is difficult.”

The result leaves Chelsea in fourth, 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, while Spurs are now just six points behind in the table following their 3-2 win over Bournemouth.

Read: Mourinho blames tiredness for late Bournemouth goals

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