EXPRESS
Chelsea failed to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time under Frank Lampard after being held to a 2-2 draw by Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. The visitors went in front thanks to Taiwo Awoniyi’s header before a Raheem Sterling double put the Blues back in front in the second half. But defensive troubles once again plagued the Blues as Awoniyi headed home again from close range to earn a vital point for Forest, and create more concern for Lampard. Express Sport looks at the four players who let down the Chelsea caretaker on Saturday.
Edouard Mendy
Handing Mendy his first Premier League start since November 12 by Lampard ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga was a gamble, and to say the goalkeeper was rusty was an understatement.
An innocuous ball into the box from Renan Lodi hardly looked like troubling the Chelsea backline until the Senegalese made a late, misguided call to come and claim it – and he was a day late and a dollar short in the end. There was little he could do with the second, but that will matter little after his first error.
The 30-year-old has been fit for some time after a shoulder injury that has kept him out for several months, mainly due to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s solid form in goal. And while many had urged for Mendy to return to the starting lineup after Chelsea’s horrid run of form, those calls may die down after this encounter, with Mendy resembling a shadow of his former self.
Benoit Badiashile
What has happened to the composed, sturdy centre-back Chelsea were raving about in January? As a young defender, Chelsea need to be patient with the 21-year-old, but it remains to be seen how long Lampard will continue to put up with his below-par performances.
