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Lampard still without a win as Chelsea manager

Aug 18, 2019 | 12:18 PM

Frank Lampard’s winless run at the start of his tenure as Chelsea manager extended to three games Sunday after Leicester fought back to earn a 1-1 draw in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

After a 4-0 loss at Manchester United on the opening weekend and then a penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, Chelsea couldn’t hold on to the lead given by youngster Mason Mount’s seventh-minute goal.

Holding midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was at fault for that goal after being dispossessed by Mount on the edge of Leicester’s area, but he made amends by scoring the equalizer.

James Maddison swung over the corner and Ndidi rose higher than marker Cesar Azpilicueta to plant a firm header into the corner.

Chelsea struggled in the second half, perhaps through fatigue having been taken to extra time by Liverpool in the Super Cup, which finished after midnight local time in Turkey.

Leicester wasted a clear chance to take all three points when Maddison weaved past Chelsea’s static defence in the 73rd minute only to blaze over from point-blank range.

While Chelsea has started the season disappointingly under Lampard, Leicester — highly fancied to break into the top six under Brendan Rodgers — is also without a win after opening with a 0-0 home draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

BLADES LOOKING SHARP

Sheffield United is settling back into the Premier League rather well after its return to the top flight after a 12-year absence.

A 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday followed up a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on the opening weekend.

Only Liverpool and Arsenal have more than Sheffield United’s four points from two games.

John Lundstram was the team’s matchwinner, the midfielder finishing from close range in the 47th minute after Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita could only tip away a driven cross into the box.

Palace has yet to score a goal this season, having started with a 0-0 home draw against Everton.

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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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Steve Douglas is at www.twitter.com/sdouglas80

Steve Douglas, The Associated Press



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