Nottingham Forest were the bigger team — Frank Lampard

Chelsea’s interim manager, Frank Lampard, has conceded that Nottingham Forest is “a bigger team” after his side struggled to a 2-2 draw in their recent encounter on Saturday.

Despite taking the lead twice, the Blues dropped points at Stamford Bridge as Taiwo Awoniyi and Raheem Sterling found the net for Forest.

The match marked Lampard’s first draw since taking over as interim manager, having previously experienced six defeats and a solitary victory. Reflecting on the result, Lampard provided insight into the challenges Chelsea faced against their opponents.

“Our struggles came in dealing with set-pieces. Nottingham Forest’s long, loopy throw-ins were difficult to defend against. They have been successful with that approach in recent games, and it proved to be a consistent threat against us,” Lampard explained.

The former England international acknowledged the physical advantage that Nottingham Forest possessed, attributing it to their ability to pose a threat from set-pieces. Lampard recognized that Chelsea, as a team, would need to address such challenges.

“They are a bigger team in terms of physicality, which was always going to be a challenge for us. However, we have to find ways to deal with it and improve in those situations,” Lampard emphasized.

Chelsea had taken the lead twice during the match, only to be pegged back by Nottingham Forest on both occasions. Despite dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities, the Blues were unable to secure a victory against their determined opponents.

The draw against Nottingham Forest highlights the ongoing difficulties that Lampard faces in his interim role. The team has struggled to find consistency, and the result serves as a reminder of the work that lies ahead to achieve the desired performances and outcomes.

As Lampard continues to lead Chelsea, he will be seeking to address the team’s vulnerabilities and enhance their defensive capabilities, particularly in handling set-pieces.

The draw against Nottingham Forest serves as a learning opportunity for the Blues, who will be aiming to build on their strengths while addressing areas that need improvement in their upcoming matches.