Frank Lampard has warned Manchester United that the title race is far from over after Chelsea fought back to beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday.
Chelsea's Premier League title aspirations looked dead and buried when Bacary Sagna headed the Gunners in front in the 59th minute but Arsene Wenger's side had not banked on the determination of Didier Drogba.
The Ivory Coast striker scored twice in eight minutes to overturn Arsenal's advantage and leave Chelsea in second place, five points behind leaders Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have yet to play at Stamford Bridge and Lampard says the race for the title remains open-ended.
Lampard insisted: "United have to come here so basically we have to try to win all our games and if we can beat United and they drop points then we have got a chance, it is as simple as that.
"It is far from over. Manchester United know that and we know that but it is important that we try to win our games in the meantime before we play them.
"The win was very important. We were 1-0 down and had we lost we would have been virtually out of the race. We knew that.
"That is why we dug in so hard and pulled it round. The spirit of the lads, especially at 1-0 down, was fantastic."
Drogba has struggled to find his best form since returning from the African Nations Cup.
But his goal against Tottenham last week and the double strike against Arsenal has demonstrated that he is beginning to find his best form again.
"It was Didier at his best," said Lampard. "He had two of the best centre-halves in the Premier League, if not the world, against him and he gave them a horrible afternoon.
"When Didier is like that, he has got the lot and he got his reward towards the end.
"We always know that when you have Didier in your team he is going to be a big threat.
"Even if it is not him scoring winning goals like he did, he is always a big threat and a powerhouse and that was him at his best today."
However, there were a few worrying aspects for coach Avram Grant and his side.
When Chelsea were a goal down and Grant removed Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele in favour of Juliano Belletti and Nicolas Anelka, the home fans sung 'you don't know what you're doing' and chanted the name of his predecessor - Jose Mourinho.
But the changes worked and that allowed Lampard to sidestep the issue.
"The fans are emotional and they call it as they see it," he continued.
"But at the end of the day we are there trying to get results and I think this is a side issue. The issue that matters was that the players turned it round.
"The subs who came on did very well and we turned the game around so it is not worth dwelling on things like that.
"You hear it but I don't think you take it in because it doesn't matter. What matters is what you do on the pitch.
"So, if you started thinking and dwelling on it you would not be doing your job, the players just responded on the pitch."


getinthere (Manchester United) : "...Berbatov... not for me. He's a very good player, but at 28, someone is going to have to over pay for him. In two years heżll be half the price you paid. Tevez works harder, will probably get as many goals and have proved this season he is a big game ..." view full comment
Liverpool have turned down a Ł25million offer from Serie A heavyweights Inter Milan for England midfielder Steven Gerrard.
More from today's press
Stoke clinched promotion from the Championship on Sunday and TEAMtalk's Mark Holmes is already contemplating life in the Premier League.
Read today's Column
smudger8 (Liverpool) : "...Kenwyne Jones just seen at Anfield! - not sure how he'll fit in myself! Crouch defo on his way to Portsmouth - All the best and Talks of Michael Johnson from Man City to join Liverpool!..." view full rumour

| LATEST PHOTOS | FOOTY QUIZ | WALLPAPERS |
![]() |
|
|
| Go to the Gallery | Can you answer all 10? |
Manchester Utd Wallpaper |
Betting | Casino | Poker | Bingo
Your Comments
sir_alex_knows (Manchester United fan)
"i think it's his comments that are over rated... he is a hell of a player himself... cappelo's mistake if he selects Gerrard over him"
red_brigade (Manchester United fan)
"Lampard issued the same warning at the same point last season, being behind by the same spread again. Terry issued a similar warning back then, as did Essien, Claude Ukalele, etc. Were used to it. Comes with the (top) territory."
afyy
"definately overrated"
All comments on this story
The Chelsea Your Say main pageThe Manchester Utd Your Say main page