FRANK LAMPARD SCORED twice to become Chelsea’s outright record goalscorer as Rafael Benitez’s team fought back to beat Aston Villa 2-1 on Saturday and effectively ensure Champions League football next season.
A hugely entertaining and eventful contest at Villa Park saw Paul Lambert’s team take an early lead through Christian Benteke and they looked well set when Chelsea’s Ramires was sent off on the stroke of half-time.
Benteke though followed him down the tunnel after the restart, however, and it proved a major turning point as Lampard soon equalised before dramatically surpassing former Chelsea striker Bobby Tambling’s long-standing club record in the 88th minute by making it 203 goals for the Blues.
Third-placed Chelsea now have a six-point advantage over Tottenham, who have a game in hand in fifth, but have a superior goal difference over their London rivals of 17 goals.
The only negative for the visitors at Villa Park was the sight of John Terry being carried off on a stretcher,casting a doubt over the centre-half’s availability for the Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Defeat meant relegation-threatened Villa remained on 40 points and the Birmingham club will now anxiously await Wigan’s midweek game with Arsenal.
Victory for Wigan could see the Latics defy the drop at Villa’s expense if they beat the Midlands club on the final day of the season.
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