Lampard acknowledges errors but says returning players can make difference

Manager Frank Lampard said Chelsea should not overreact to the 4-0 defeat his depleted side suffered against Manchester United in their opening fixture of the Premier League season.

The Blues were the better team in the first half but trailed 1-0 at the break after Kurt Zouma’s rash challenge led to Marcus Rashford’s penalty opener.

And two goals in two minutes soon after the hour saw the game as good as done.

Lampard, who took over as boss in the summer, said a raft of returning players will bring an improvement.

“I have tried to stay away from (talking about) the transfer ban and the injuries,” Lampard told Sky Sports. “But it’s clear. We all know that.

“I was trying to get N’Golo on to get him minutes so that’s a bonus to see him out there.

“We have Willian and [Antonio] Rudiger not far away. Callum [Hudson-Odoi] and Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] are slightly further than that and Reece James, who is coming back, will be a big player for us.

“We are missing internationals and big players, but I don’t want to make excuses. The team we put out was competing for long periods but we made four mistakes and they were absolutely clinical. There is a reality check for us all.

“We hit the woodwork twice, there were balls across the face, poor decisions in the final third when we should be able to get shots away and score goals.

“We should be in the lead. All of a sudden, the second and third goals were two mistakes and it’s much easier for them to play at 3-0 up.

“At 1-0 up we were the better team but I can’t stand here and look happy with that because it’s 4-0.

“It doesn’t feel nice. We are Chelsea; we don’t want to lose anywhere 4-0.”

Meanwhile, Lampard’s former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho questioned the new manager’s team selection.